Jim Mello (Athlete, Class of 2024)

Jim Mello first appeared in the local sports pages when he was a member of the Bristol County Babe Ruth Baseball All Stars that won the 1952 State title and then finished their season as New England finalists.

 But football was his first love, as he captured All Class C honors in multiple seasons while playing offensive and defensive tackle for the Warren High School Redskins.  In his senior year, Jim was named first team All Class C and according to his teammate and now fellow Hall of Famer Paul Harvey, “completely outplayed the tackle who was named All State.”

 At Brown University, he coupled a heavy load of science labs with tough practices and eventually lettered as a Junior starter for the Bears.  Unfortunately, late in that season Jim injured his knee while starring in a win over Holy Cross and was not able to play in his final year of college.

As was the case with many Warren High youngsters in the ‘50s, basketball was his third sport, one in which he captained and earned Class recognition on the Redskin five that fell to Cranston in the state playoffs.   

His efforts on the football field, in the basketball gym, and in the classroom earned him recognition as Warren High’s Honor Roll Boy nominee of 1954. 

After earning his PhD, Jim carved out a prominent career in the Federal government while working at the Smithsonian Institution.