TALLAHASSEE, Fla. | Florida A&M Interim Director of Athletics announces the addition of Melvin Beal as the Rattlers' new play-by-play analyst and host of the Coaches Shows. 

"Melvin Beal is going to be a welcomed addition to our program," said Interim Director of Athletics Michael Smith. "He is a FAMU guy and has been in the industry for many years. He understands the FAMU brand and the culture, so we're excited for him to come in."

Melvin Beal is an accomplished journalist, television news manager, reporter, and college football play-by-play announcer. He currently serves as the General Manager of WVUP-TV (CTN) in Tallahassee, Florida. He also manages Christian Lifestyles, a CTN network that broadcasts in the Big Bend area. 

Born and raised in Tallahassee, Beal graduated from Rickards High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism at Florida A&M University. Throughout his career, he has held a variety of positions in the media and telecommunications industry. Melvin is recognized as a trailblazer in the media industry as the 2022 recipient of the Robert Abbott Media Award. 

After his first job in television at WTLV-TV (ABC) in Jacksonville, Florida, he worked for 25 years at WTSP-TV (CBS) in Tampa Bay as a news manager and reporter. Later, he reported for Black College Sports Today on ESPN. Beal spent nearly two decades reporting on Inside the Game, a nationally syndicated sports and entertainment show that aired on BET and Bounce networks. His broadcasting experience includes two Super Bowls, NBA playoff games, college football bowl games, and two Final Four basketball championships. 

In 2018, Melvin returned to ESPN as a college football play-by-play announcer. Currently, he hosts and contributes to Round One, a weekly sports show on WTAL in north Florida. 

He currently resides in Tallahassee with his wife, Juana.