The Father Flanagan Distinguished Alumnus Award 

Melvin R. Hamilton, ‘65

The Father Flanagan Dis ti nguished Alumnus Award, the highest award given by the Alumni Associa ti on, recognizes alumni who have achieved  substan ti al personal and professional growth and advancement over an extended period of ti me, made significant contribu ti ons to society and service to fellow man, thus reflec ti ng extraordinary credit to Boys Town, the Boys Town Na ti onal Alumni Associa ti on and who embodies the principles of Father Flanagan of service above self. Eligible candidates must meet the following criteria: be an alumnus of Boys Town; and, have graduated from high school or completed the Boys Town program of care at least thirty-five years prior to their nomina ti on or be at least fi ft y years of age. Because of excep ti onal accomplishments by alumni, the awards selec ti on commi tt ee may deem it appropriate to present this award to an individual before the minimum age or ti me elapsed from the school has been reached. This award will only be given if a suitable candidate is nominated.
 

Melvin Hamilton arrived at Boys Town on August 16, 1961 from Wilmington, North Carolina. Hamilton eagerly embraced sports at Boys Town as he excelled on the field of play in football, track and wrestling. He was a leader off the field serving as Mayor of Boys Town, Councilman, Commissioner, and Class Secretary in his senior year. He pursued a course of General Studies, sang in the choir, was the Pep Club President and a cheerleader as a senior.
 

Hamilton established himself as a force to be reckoned with especially on the football field. He earned three varsity letters in football, three in track and two in wrestling. He was a member of the nationally ranked undefeated 1963 gridiron squad, competed at the state tournament in wrestling and track and earned state Honorable Mention for wrestling. His greatest impact was in football where he earned All-State honors and was Captain of the football team in his senior year when the team went 8-1-1. For his gridiron exploits Hamilton earned a football scholarship to the University of Wyoming.
 

At Wyoming, Hamilton was a lineman on the football team and majored in Physical Education. He interrupted his education to serve in the U.S. Army where he was a Radio Teletype Operator with a NATO Crypto Top-Secret clearance. He served in Germany and Turkey during his tour of duty. Upon his honorable discharge he returned to Wyoming to complete his education and worked his way back into the starting lineup on the football team once again. He was inducted into the Wyoming Athletic Hall of Fame as a member of the 10-1 football team of 1966. It was after returning to Wyoming and rejoining the football team that Hamilton decided to take a stand against racism along with 13 other teammates and was catapulted into the national spotlight as part of the famous “Black 14”. When they made the decision, in 1969, to ask to wear black arm bands when playing against Brigham Young University, they had no idea the impact it would make in several areas. It disrupted the lives and many hopes and dreams of them all. The reason for the request for protest was because the Mormon religion would not allow persons of color to attain higher positions in the Church. There were repercussions throughout the United States sports world when these young men were kicked off of a nationally ranked football team. After the Black 14 incident the Mormon Church changed this policy. Little did he know at that time that his oldest son would become a member of the Mormon Church and thankful for the policy change years earlier.
 

With football out of the picture because of his principled stand, Hamilton completed his education at Wyoming and worked in the glass and oil industry before returning to Wyoming as an educator. Over the next 29 years he rose from classroom teacher to become a counselor, Vice Principal, Principal and Central Service Administrator for the School District in Casper. During this time, he earned a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Lesley University.
 

The Governor of Wyoming appointed Hamilton to the Wyoming State Parole board where he served as Vice Chairman and the first African-American to be appointed