October 28, 2008
 

LIVINGSTON, Ala.--The University of West Alabama inducted two former Tigers into the Athletic Hall of Fame during the institution’s recent Homecoming celebration. UWA baseball record-holder Chance Melvin and current Arena Football League star Lawrence Samuels are the newest members.

Chance Melvin, a former standout on the diamond, left his mark on the UWA baseball records. A Brandon, Miss., native, he is the UWA career leader in batting average with a .431 mark. Melvin also holds the school record for RBI in a game with nine against Alabama A&M and season marks for 91 hits, 83 RBI, .435 batting average, 28 doubles, 168 total bases, 10 sacrifice flies and a 23-game hitting streak. Melvin was a two-time All-American, two-time All-Gulf South Conference Team selection and the 1999 GSC Player of the Year.

Current AFL player Lawrence Samuels, a Mobile native, is tied for seventh all-time in receptions at UWA with 89 for 1,426 yards, and he holds two of UWA’s individual career performances with 185 yards against Albany State (third most in a game) and 182 yards against Jacksonville State (fourth most in a game), both in 1992. Samuels is also part of the seventh-longest pass play in school history, as he caught an 84-yard pass from Marty Washington in the Albany State game in 1992.

Since his collegiate career, Samuels has become the all-time reception leader in the AFL with 1,020, and he is fifth all-time in professional football (CFL, NFL, USFL and WFL). He has tallied 135 consecutive games with a reception, also first in the AFL. Samuels ranks fifth all-time in receiving yards (11,708), 16th all-time in all-purpose yards (12,287) and 13th in tackles (484). He has played 203 games in 15 seasons and is a three-time ArenaBowl Champion, a two-time All-Ironman Team member, a four-time All-Arena Team selection and nine-time AFL Ironman of the Week. He is the first player to be named the ArenaBowl XVII MVP and Ironman of the Game.

The UWA Athletic Hall of Fame, established in 1981 by the National Alumni Association, honors former UWA athletes or coaches who have brought distinction to the University through their athletic achievements. This year's class became the 51st and 52nd members displayed in the James P. Homer Field House.

Melvin served as honorary game captain on the Homecoming gridiron, while Samuels was unable to attend due to a car accident last week that left him hospitalized. He will be honored along with next year's inductees.