Mel Boybosa was a three-sport athletic star at Napa High School. As a football player, Boybosa played end during his junior and senior campaigns. He was named to the All-NBL team in 1951. Boybosa was a devastating tackler who was fearless on defense. Some of the stories about his aggressive play belie his friendly smile. Boybosa was a two-year track star in high school, competing in field events including the shot put, discus and high jump. He was the 1952 North Bay League high jump champion and held the Napa High School record at the time of his graduation. In spite of all of Boybosa’s success in football and track, it was on the basketball court that he rose above his peers. He was a scorer and rebounder of strength and resolve. He followed up a Second Team All-Conference performance as a junior with a season in 1951-52 which led Napa to a North Bay League title and earned Boybosa First Team All-NBL honors. He was selected as NBL Player of the Year in 1952. Big, tough, strong, talented and mean are adjectives that teammates and opponents used to describe Boybosa. After graduation from Napa High, Boybosa went on to two solid basketball seasons at Napa Junior College, where he earned All-League recognition in 1952-53 and 1953-54.
