MOBILE, Ala. – Melvin Lucas, the first athletic director in South Alabama Athletics history, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends on Jan. 1 at the age of 93.
"Mel is the literal father of South Alabama Athletics," said director of athletics Dr. Joel Erdmann. "I don't think any of us can fathom what he navigated to create an athletic department from the ground up. He was an admired professional administrator known for his kind and humorous demeanor. He and his beloved wife Lamona served as true ambassadors for the department and the university.