User:Melvin E. Ferguson

MELVIN FERGUSON

Bahamas Flag Football Commissioner: (2013 - ) Commonwealth American Football League former Commissioner: (2012 - 2015)

Registered Coach – USA Football

Registered Commissioner – USA Football

Registered Official - USA Football

Born in  1963  in  Abraham's  Bay  on  the  beautiful  island  of  Mayaguana,  Bahamas,  Melvin Ferguson came from the most humble of beginning. On an island that still bears the name of the original Arawak Indians, Mayaguana had less than 300 inhabitants and was indeed a family island.

At the age of 15 months, the Ferguson family moved to the capital island of New Providence, where Melvin lived with his aunt and attended Columbus Primary School. Being raised in a Christian home he attended St. Paul Baptist Church and was baptized by Reverend Colebroke at the age of 6 years old.

In 1971, Mel joined his mom in Freeport, Grand Bahama and attended Lewis yard Primary School; there is where he began to realize his talents in athletics. He excelled in track, baseball and basketball.

The Ferguson family moved to Miami Florida in June, 1975, and Mel enrolled at Phyllis Wheatley Elementary school. This was a very difficult move for him; he missed his Bahamian extended family and childhood friends tremendously. Mel begin to rebel and eventually withdrew from other family members, friends and relatives.

In August, 1975, Mel joined Miami's Central Boys Club and immediately gravitated to the sport of football. He became an instant star on the grid iron and at the young age of 12 caught the eyes of many of the local coaches.

In 1976, he enrolled at Ida Mae Fisher, Jr. High School, Miami Beach, Florida. By this time he had overcome his  rebellious  stages  and  was  entrenched  in  athletics. Mel signed up for football, basketball and track, and excelled in all three. It was at this time that he met his longtime friend Kenneth Oliver. Both Kenny and Mel were over-achievers in basketball and track, however when it came to football they were elevated to All-American status by their senior year. After being selected to Miami's All-City, All-County, and the Florida's All-State football teams, Mel accepted a full scholarship to attend the University of Minnesota and Kenny attended the University of Miami.

At the University of Minnesota, Mel excelled both on and off the playing field lettering in football as a starting strong safety while earning a 3.5 GPA and being nominated as a William Scholar. Mel Ferguson graduated in 1985 with a BA in Communications.

In 1986, his lifelong dream of playing in the NFL came to an end when he failed to make the final cut of the Minnesota Vikings. Mel then returned to the University of Minnesota and served as a Graduate Assistant while earning a BS in Police Science, and shortly thereafter began his professional career in law enforcement.

As the  current  Commissioner  of  the  Bahamas  Flag  Football   League   and  the  former Commissioner of the Commonwealth American Football League Ferguson performs a variety of administrative responsibilities in the daily operation of the league: 	establish and evaluate goals for the leagues and written proposals, including income and expenses, for camps or other athletic activities;

	prepare and administer the officials, statisticians and field maintenance budget while providing a fiscal overview for the League;

	develop games schedules and certified base of game officials for all the game;

	oversee the maintenance of all facilities and equipment as well as maintaining a yearly inventory record of all the athletic equipment;

	coordinate all team travel adhering to prudent budgetary practices;

	supervise all officials and statisticians and other part- time or volunteer staff assisting with field activities;

	serve as the primary liaison between the League officials and the Continuing Education Program and Certification; 	supervise rule enforcement, recruitment, promotion, training, and teaching and any other activities necessary for coaches officials and athletes; 	maintain effective relations with area college coaches to ensure an efficient and effective recruiting network while supervising all recruitment   activities to ensure compliance with College conference and national rules;

	maintain accurate and official team records, individual records, and program history;

Mel has also established a tracking system to maintain information regarding statistical performance of all athletes. He works with the College of the Bahamas, Counseling Department, faculty, and other areas as appropriate to ensure athletes receive needed intervention and medical assistance when needed.

Mel works closely with the Government Officials to ensure proper funding and promotion for Football throughout the Bahamas. Throughout the years Mel Ferguson has been involved in the following Football activities:

North Hennepin Junior College''' In 1992 Mel was pulled back into football at North Hennepin Junior College where he served as Defensive Coordinator for the Norseman, that year the team moved from the bottom tier to a nationally ranked JUCCO team with a highly ranked Defense.

Pros Football Club (CAFL)''' In 1996 work responsibilities brought Mel back to the Bahamas and while there Mel Head Coach the then Burger King Pros taking them to two league Pennant and 1 National Championship. He was selected to coach the All-Bahamian team against the New York Finest which was then the number # Law Enforcement team in the United States.

Freeport Panthers (CAFL – GB)''' In 1999 Mel moved to Grand Bahama where he organized and was Head Coach of the Freeport Panthers. The new start-up team was the surprised of the CAFL winning the Grand Bahama Pennant and then knocking his former team The Pros in the playoffs, the Panthers was the first ever Start-up team to play in the CAFL Championship game.

A move back to Minnesota in 2003 brought Mel to football Semi Pro Football and the Minnesota Valley Wolfpack.

Minnesota Valley Wolfpack (Semi Pro Football)''' As Head Coach of the Wolfpack, Mel led the team to three consecutive MAAC Play-off wins and losing in the 3rd round of the State Finals.

Minnesota Vixen (WPFL)''' Mel took on the Head Coaching Job with the of the historic Minnesota Vixen, the first and longest playing Woman’s Professional Football Team. After two years with the team Mel turned it over to his Offense Coordinator who then went on to win the divisional title with the defensive structure that was left in place.

A return trip back to the Bahamas joined Mel with one of his former players to coach the BARCO Oil Jets.

BARCO Oil Jets''' Mel Joined the Jets in 2009 as Defensive Coordinator and in his second year took on the head coaching job. Mel implemented a defensive scheme that disrupted and confused all of its foes. The Jets went undefeated in the 2009 season only to lose in the CAFL Championship game.