Dr. Mel Sheehan was born on December 27, 1924, and was a graduate of Normandy High School. Mel was a US Navy Veteran of World War II.

Following the war, he attended the University of Missouri-Columbia and was a two-sport letterman on the football and track teams from 1946-1949. He was twice an All-Conference end, leading the Tigers and the Big Seven Conference in receiving in 1947 and 1948. He was an All-American as a senior. Sheehan lettered in track in 1943, 1946, and 1948, and was the Big Seven discus champion from 1946-48. He earned All-American honors. Mel was a member of the Varsity "M" Association, Delta Tau Delta, was drafted by the Cleveland Browns, and played two seasons in the NFL for the Browns and the Chicago Bears.

His career in education began in Brookfield in 1950 where he also coached football for the Bulldogs. He worked as a Big Eight Conference football official from 1961-1971, and was Mizzou's Athletic Director from 1972-1978. He was inducted into the Missouri Hall of Fame.