Wheaton College Athletics

During Mel Peterson’s excellent basketball career, he led the Crusaders to 94-18 record. While only a freshman, he helped the Crusaders to a 28-1 record and the 1957 NCAA College Division Basketball Championship. In the process, Mel averaged 20.4 points per game and was named the Most Valuable Player in the NCAA Tournament. Peterson went on to establish Wheaton records for total points scored (2,522) and total rebounds (1,767), that still stand today, while receiving All-American honors three times.