Melvin T. Rahn

Track Coach

1925-1951

Inducted 1998

Melvin T. Rahn was a much beloved teacher, assistant principal and coach during his tenure in Long Branch. He came to Long Branch in 1925 as a social studies teacher and football coach. In 1927, he coached track and was appointed faculty manager of athletics in 1929. In 1941, he was named head of the Social Studies Department before being promoted to assistant principal in 1946.

Perhaps Coach Rahn’s crowning achievement was founding the Long Branch Relays in 1933 to encourage athletes to work together and maintain school pride and spirit. This year, the Long Branch Relays is 66 years old and is considered one of the most prestigious track events in the state.

As track coach, Melvin Rahn helped his team capture 67 straight dual meets, 7 successive state championships, and 8 Long Branch Relays. Coach Rahn died in 1951, and three months later the track was dedicated to him and is now known as “The Mel Rahn Oval.”