Mekelburg attended the University of South Florida, playing for the men's soccer team from 1993 to 1996.
[4] In December 1996, the Tampa Bay Terror selected Mekelburg in the National Professional Soccer League draft.
[5] In February 1997, the Tampa Bay Mutiny picked him in the first round (eighth overall) of the 1997 MLS College Draft.
The Sidekicks did not sign him and Mekelburg joined the Baltimore Spirit of the National Professional Soccer League in September 1997.
[7] On July 24, 1999, the Battery traded Mekelburg to the Raleigh Capital Express in exchange for Edmundo Rodriguez.