Hall of Fame

Rich Melzer

Rich Melzer

  • Class
  • Induction
    2022
  • Sport(s)
    UW-River Falls
Induction Video

(Written: July 2022)

Rich Melzer was a member of UW-River Falls’ men’s basketball team from 2001-04 and received National Association of Basketball Coaches NCAA Division III Player of the Year honors, as well as D3hoops.com All-America First Team status in 2004. He was a D3hoops.com All-America Second Team honoree in 2003. Melzer claimed NABC West Region Player of the Year honors in 2003 and 2004.

A two-time conference Player of the Year (2003 and 2004), he secured first team honors from 2002 thru 2004 after receiving honorable mention in 2001. Melzer ranks second on the conference’s all-time list with 2,363 career points and 935 career field goals made, and fourth with 670 free throws attempted. His 935 field goals made are a UW-River Falls record. He produced the fourth-highest scoring output in league history with a 54-point performance against UW-La Crosse on Jan. 29, 2003. In 2004, Melzer helped UW-River Falls claim its first regular-season conference championship since 1950.

Following his Falcon career, Melzer played for the San Antonio Spurs, as well as teams in the NBA Developmental League and Continental Basketball Association. He also played for teams in New Zealand, Dominican Republic, France, Israel, Germany and Australia.

He earned a spot on the D3hoops.com All-Decade Team representing the 1997-98 thru 2006-07 seasons. In 2012, he was selected to the WIAC Men’s Basketball All-Time Team in conjunction with the conference’s Centennial Celebration. In 2017, Melzer was inducted into the UW-River Falls Hall of Fame.

Melzer resides in Minneapolis, Minn. He has a step-son Ty and three sons Devin, Jameson and Mason.