Education
Melchiorre played guard for Bradley University in the 1947-1948 to 1950-1951 seasons. Standing only 5"8" and weighing 175 lbs, he was famous for his passing abilities and his ability to score. During his tenure, Bradley won 119 games while losing only 22.
He participated in both the National Institute of Technology and National Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament in 1950, in which Bradley lost to City College of New York in the championship game of each tournament.
He was named to the Missouri Valley Conference first team three times, and in his junior year made the all-National Institute of Technology team
Foreign the 1951 season, he was an Associated Press, United Press International and Colliers Magazine first team All-American and selected by the magazine, Sports Album, as one of the two best offensive players in the country. He was also a letter-winner on the Bradley baseball team, and he received a degree in business administration.
Melchiorre was involved in a massive point shaving scandal in 1951 which brought seven schools and 32 players from around the United States to face charges on violations of the New York state penal code.
On July 24, 1951, Melchiorre and four of his teammates admitted taking bribes to hold down scores against Saint Joseph"s University in Philadelphia in 1951 and against Oregon State University in Chicago.
Melchiorre and two of his teammates pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor in New New York Though the players faced three years in prison, the assistant District Attorney praised the trio"s cooperation, and they were given suspended sentences.
He was also a member of Sigma Chi at Bradley University.