Education
University of Southern California.
University of Southern California.
Born in Los Angeles, California, Mel Patton or Pell Mell, as he was nicknamed in the late 1940s, made his mark in track and field while a student at the University of Southern California, where he was coached by Dean Cromwell. He also attended University High School in Los Los Angeles In 1947 he tied the 100 yd dash world record of 9.4, which he lowered it 9.3 the following year.
In 1949 he set a 220 yd world record on a straightaway of 20.2, breaking the record held by Jesse Owens.
In the Olympic Trials, he suffered a rare loss to Barney Ewell in the 100 m final, then in the Olympic Games placed only fifth in the 100 m. He atoned for that disappointment by taking two gold medals in the 200 m and the 4 × 100 m relay.
After retiring from competition, Patton was a track coach before entering the electronics industry. He died in Fallbrook, California on May 9, 2014.
During his collegiate years, Patton was a member of the Delta-Eta Chapter of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity.