Melvin Jr. PENDER

Mel Pender made the final of the Olympic 100m in 1964 and 1968 and placed sixth each time, but in 1968 he helped win a gold medal in the relay. In 1972, at the age of 35, he tied the world indoor bests for 50y and 60y and, as a pro in 1973, he again tied the world indoor record for 60y. He achieved all of his track feats while in the US Army.

Pender retired after 21 years as a career Army officer, having achieved a rank of captain. He started in the military with the 82nd Airborne in special ops, but after the Tokyo Olympics elected to attend officers' candidate school. In 1970 he was named track coach at West Point and while there he completed his college degree at Adelphi University. He also ran with the International Track Association (ITA) as a professional from 1973-75. Pender later worked as a track shoe designer and marketing specialist, and for some time as director of the Youth Development Program of the NFL Players' Association. He is a member of multiple Halls of Fame, including Georgia state, Louisiana state, Adelphia University, Atlanta Sports, US Army Officers' Candidate School, and Georgia Military Veterans'. Pender returned to Adelphia in the 1990s and earned a doctoral degree.

Personal Bests: 100y – 9.3 (1965); 100 – 10.15 (1968).