Hall of Fame
Mel Franks was one of the best to ever do it. When it came to relating with the media and keeping track of Cal State Fullerton's athletic achievements throughout the years, no one did it better. He worked tireless hours and was one of the most professional employees the department has ever had. From printing media guides to digging up old statistics or calling basketball and baseball games himself on the radio. Franks truly did it all.
Franks witnessed three decades of Titan Athletics, working in the department's sports information office from 1980 to 2012. Before coming to Cal State Fullerton, he served as a public relations representative for the then-California Angels from 1973-80. He always knew it was his primary responsibility to serve the fan base and the media covering each respective team.
In fact, the day Franks got the job at Fullerton in early August 1980, he was told "congratulations, but you have a home football game in three weeks, but no press box." Of course, Franks was able to roll up his sleeves and build a makeshift press box himself, complete with media guides, chairs and telephone lines, along with media guides. This was just a snapshot example of what Franks was all about. He was a media member's most trusted ally and never complained about a thing.
Franks graduated with his bachelor's degree in journalism from Arizona State in 1970. He currently resides in Riverside County with his wife of 47 years, Nancy Franks. He and Nancy have a son Jason, a daughter Traci and four grandchildren.
