Melvin Rogers came to Chowan University in the fall of 2006 as a well-touted local talent. The Margarettsville, North Carolina native attended Northampton County High School-East and played under Diego Hasty and Mark Long, who also played at Chowan and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2022. Fortunately for Chowan, Melvin wanted to stay close to family and close to his roots and chose Chowan to continue his education and playing career.
Melvin was a four-year member of the football team. In his first two seasons, Melvin served as a defensive nose guard. Melvin was called over to the offensive side of the ball in his junior year, where blocking for offensive backs came most natural. In his junior and senior seasons, Melvin excelled. Offensive lineman rarely garner stats that show up in a story line, but “Big Melvin” as he is affectionately known, pancaked his way to become one of the best offensive lineman in the South Region. Melvin protected former Chowan quarterback, CJ Westler, who in just two seasons posted over 4,000 yards of offense and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019. It’s safe to say that “Big Melvin” had a hand in Westler’s statistical success as a quarterback. Melvin was also named to the Chowan University All-D2 Football Team in 2020.
Melvin was a two-time All-CIAA performer as an offensive lineman (2009-2010). His picture hangs in the Pond Center as he was the first-ever Chowan offensive lineman to earn All-CIAA honors. In May of 2011, Melvin graduated from Chowan University with a degree in physical education.
Melvin put his degree to use after leaving Chowan by coaching locally at both Gates County High School and Northampton County High School. Following his coaching stint, Melvin decided to pursue a career in truck driving. After a couple of years of working the roads, Melvin enjoyed it so much that he started his own trucking business, Melvin C Rogers LLC, which he has managed for the past ten years. I
Melvin and Shanita Davis live in nearby Margarettsville, North Carolina. Together they have a daughter named Makayla and a son named Emmanuel. They are lifelong members of Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Northampton County.
