Mel Groomes (2025) - Indiana University Athletics Hall of Fame

Mel Groomes

Induction:
2025
Class:
1947

Groomes was a mainstay in the IU offensive backfield from 1945-47, where he lined up next to fellow IU Athletics Hall of Fame member George Taliaferro. Groomes was the leading receiver on IU's undefeated 1945 Big Ten Championship team as well as on the 1946 squad, and earned All-Big Ten honors in both football and track and field. After graduating from IU in the spring of 1948, Groomes was signed to an NFL contract by the Detroit Lions, who had recently lured Groomes' IU coach – Bo McMillin – away from Bloomington to take over as the head coach of their franchise. Groomes played in the Lions' 1948 season opener on Sept. 22, 1948, and in doing so became the first Black player in Lions' history and the first Black player from IU to play in the NFL. After injuries ended his playing career, Groomes spent four years in the Air Force before turning to the coaching profession – in baseball. His baseball head coaching career was highlighted by a 31-year stint at North Carolina A&T from 1956-87 where he won 463 career games. Groomes passed away in 1997 at the age of 70.