Melinda Rhoads (2026)
A 1973 Oil City High School graduate, Melinda Rhoads played multiple sports for Slippery Rock State College (now Slippery Rock University) and was a star on the U.S. handball team.
During her four years at Slippery Rock, Rhoads served as a starting guard for the basketball team which which compiled a 53-20 record. Also for Slippery Rock, she played tennis, lacrosse, softball and ran track.
Rhoads earned a spot on the U.S. handball team at a tryout on the Slippery Rock campus. She then played for team USA from 1975-84, was named team MVP at three national championship events and was Player of the Year in 1980. Follower her athletic career, Rhoads helped coach the national team and served as vice president for the U.S. Team Handball Association.
Rhoads was one of the Olympic torch bearers leading into the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta.
