Gary Sharpe - 2013
After a stellar high school and college athletic career, Gary Sharpe embarked on a journey of accomplishment that led him to success as a coach and athletic director at the high school and college level. Gary’s athletic talents earned him the Jake Todd Award as Erskine College’s most outstanding athlete in 1970, and his ability to teach and inspire led him to coaching. He began at his alma mater, HV Jenkins High School, and was honored as the WTOC Coach of the Year in 1973. He stepped up to the college game as the head basketball coach and athletic director at Brewton Parker College from 1977-85. He compiled a record of 175-76, was named the National Junior College Athletic Association Region XVII Coach of the Year in 1977-78 and was inducted into the Brewton Parker Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995. He became the head basketball coach at the University of Arkansas at Monticello and immediately led the team to the NAIA national championship game in 1985-86. He served as head coach and athletic director at UAM from 1985-91 and later in life he reentered athletic administration as the Athletic Director for the Glynn County School System, where he was named Region Athletic Director of the Year in 2007 and 2008. Wherever Gary Sharpe went, he instilled integrity in the program he represented and winning principles in his players. Although his won-loss record as a basketball coach demonstrated consistent success, his real victory was positively influencing the development of countless of student athletes as a coach, mentor, educator and administrator.