Called "one of the best athletes ever to attend the University of Toledo" by former Rocket football coach Frank Lauterbur, Melvin "Mel" Tucker was a two-time All-MAC selection in football and a one-time first-team All-MAC pick in baseball. Tucker, a defensive end, was selected to first-team All-MAC in 1967 and 1968. A three-year starter, Tucker was named a team captain as a senior in 1968. Tucker played just one season on the baseball team, as a junior in 1967, and was named first-team All-MAC. He led the team with four home runs and 28 RBI, including back-to-back grand slams in a 19-3 victory over Detroit on April 4.