Melvin Henry was a graduate of Virginia Polytech Institute (now Virginia Tech), where he starred in football, basketball and baseball. He played halfback on offense and was a safety on defense, playing 60 minutes each game for three years. Henry played guard on the VPI basketball team, led in scoring in the 1936-37 and 37-38 seasons, and was named captain his senior year. Henry was selected to the All-Virginia and All-North teams. After graduation, Henry played professional football for the Roanoke Travelers of the Dixie League.

Henry started coaching basketball at Lonaconing Central High, where his team won several Maryland Class C state championships. He then moved to Fort Hill to coach football, where his teams compiled a 22-3-1 record.

Henry returned to VPI as an assistant football coach, but in 1948 he moved to Hagerstown to coach the Hagerstown High Hubs in both football and basketball. In 1950-51, the Hubs basketball team won the state championship. He had many winning seasons in both football and basketball.

Mel provided inspiration to many young men at Hagerstown High School. He retired from the Washington County school system and was inducted into the Virginia Tech Sports Hall of Fame in 1986.