SPECIAL FEATURE
DR. MELVIN HALL
A GENTLEMAN, ATHLETE, & SCHOLAR
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A PEEP INTO THE PAGES OF HISTORY: THE EXEMPLIFIED EXTRAORDINARINESS OF A BASKETBALL STAR
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by Archie Williams
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DR. MELVIN HALL
The game of BASKETBALL is undoubtedly one of the world's greatest sports which commands a very huge following worldwide with thousands of legendary players. In Liberia, it is second only to soccer (football).
Back in the days the YMCA Gymnasium on Crown Hill, including the Sports Commission on Broad Street, and the American Cooperative School (ACS) on the Old Road were hotspot arenas where ardent spectators usually congregated to witness eye feasting spectacles of competitive games amongst several clubs, and high schools in and around Monrovia.
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Additionally, the RICKS' OLYMPICS also provided a launchpad where the WHO'S WHO amongst several high schools, including the host Ricks; Lott Carey, St. Patricks, CWA; Cathedral, A. M. E. Zion, B. W. Harris, A. G. M.;
M.C., and Wells Hairston participated in various competitive sporting activities with basketball as the main center of attraction.
Additionally, the RICKS' OLYMPICS also provided a launchpad where the WHO'S WHO amongst several high schools, including the host Ricks; Lott Carey, St. Patricks, CWA; Cathedral, A. M. E. Zion, B. W. Harris, A. G. M.; M.C., and Wells Hairston participated in various competitive sporting activities with basketball as the main center of attraction.
At clubs level, Mighty Barrolle; Invincible Eleven, Great Ball Players, United Lakers, Monrovia Pistons, Hedonist, Island Lords, Trojans, Uhuru Kings; Cat Trotters, Nets, Pythons, Hornets, and Oilers amongst others were always in a hot contention for the Liberia Basketball Federation (LBF) annual shield at the Sports Commission.
Per the aforementioned, one individual who amongst several others was a classic standout within the realms of the game is none other than MELVIN HALL. He was an all round player endowed with coveted abilities that enabled him to always perform at his utmost expectations on teams he featured; including Ricks his high school; Cuttington his college, and Mighty Barrolle, his club.
From humble beginnings on Carey Street, Melvin is a 1980 graduate of the Ricks Institute in Virginia outside Monrovia. He obtained a BSc Degree in Chemistry with honors from the Cuttington University in 1984. In furtherance of higher education, he obtained a MSc in Geology from the University of California (Berkeley) in 1989, and a PhD in Organic Chemistry from the Auburn University in 2001.
Shortly after he obtained his MSc. Degree, he returned home in early 1990 amid the sprouts of the war, and was employed with the University of Liberia where he taught Geology, and Chemistry. He rose to the rank of Assistant Professor prior to his departure for terminal studies in 1994. He also coached the University's basketball team.
Moreover, he also taught chemistry and Geography at the St. Teresa Convent High School.
His elder brother Ceaser Hall also a Geologist of the Lands, Mines and Energy Ministry fame was equally an ardent star player for Mighty Barrolle who subsequently became one of the Liberia Basketball Federation (LBF) ace umpires with discipline as his achievable hallmark.
Currently, Dr. Melvin Hall is a Professor of Organic Chemistry at Lagrange College in Georgia the USA.
To view pictures of Dr. Hall when he played for his high school, national club, and the Lone Star of Liberia, click on the button below.