Alex M. Rivera Athletics Hall of Fame
Melvin Bassett left an indelible mark in the track world as a seven-time All-American and four-time National Champion at NCCU from 1971-74.
In his very first season, Bassett was ranked as high as No. 5 in the U.S. among 400-meter intermediate hurdlers. He captured the 1971 NCAA Division II National Championship in the 440-yard intermediate hurdles with a time of 51.3 seconds, leading the Eagles to a fourth place tie in the team standings. Bassett was also runner-up at the NCAA Division I Championships in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 50.3 seconds. He teamed-up with Ron Draper, Jerry Monroe and Larry Black to win the NAIA National Championship in the 440-yard relay, helping NCCU to a second-place team finish. Bassett wrapped-up his rookie campaign by placing fifth at the U.S. Track & Field Championships in the 440-yard hurdles (50.5 seconds).
In 1972, Bassett claimed two NAIA National Championships - in the 400m hurdles (50.5 seconds) and in the 4x400m relay with Robert Ouko, Julius Sang and Larry Black (3:04.8), while the Eagles earned the 1972 NAIA Team National Championship. He improved upon his performance from a year earlier by placing fourth in the 440-yard hurdles at the U.S. Track & Field Championships.
Bassett capped his NCCU career by earning three All-America citations at the 1974 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships, placing second in the 400m hurdles, second in the mile relay and fourth in the 4x100m relay.
