This past May at Nationals, I had the distinct
pleasure of attending the annual awards banquet where one of our own, Joe
Sharpless, was presented the prestigious 2002 Dr. Harold T. Friermood “Frier”
Award. This award is given to recognize those people who have made significant
contributions to volleyball and to encourage volunteer leadership service
and effective relationships at the national and perhaps international level.
Those recognized have devoted a minimum of 25 years of service to the sport
of volleyball.
Joe’s achievements read like an encyclopedia
of volleyball involvement. His interests were reflected in a myriad of
committees and organizations related to the sport of volleyball.
Joe served as the National Recreation and Parks Association Delegate to
the USVBA Delegate Assembly from 1981 through 1999. He served on the Middle
Atlantic Regional Council for 10 years and the American Park and Recreation
Society Board of Trustee for three years.
He served the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU)
as the Volleyball Committee Chairman for both New Jersey and the Potomac
Valley Associations for a total of 16 years. He was appointed National
Chairman of the AAU for five years. Joe was President of the New Jersey
Association and instrumental in the establishment of volleyball on the
AAU Junior Olympic agenda before it became a USVBA program in 1980. He
was the AAU Representative to the USVBA from 1966 through 1974. As president
of the New Jersey AAU Association, Joe served as a delegate to the USOC,
a member of the USOC Track and Field Games Committee (Men’s Athletics)
for eight years, and the Men’s Volleyball Games Committee for eight years.
Joe’s devotion to volleyball truly displayed
his concern when he turned some of his energies to the Special Olympics.
In 1994, he was appointed Director of Volleyball for Special Olympics International.
Joe was significantly involved as the Technical Delegate for Volleyball
with the planning and implementation of volleyball in 1995 and 1999. He
will serve again in that esteemed role during the 2003 games to be held
in Dublin, Ireland. Joe has always said “I look forward to working with
the Special Olympics athletes because they are so special with the attitudes
they bring to the sport. They are genuine athletes with no hidden motives.
There is such a total spirit of camaraderie and support for their fellow
athletes that brings me enormous enjoyment and satisfaction.”
Joe has also devoted time and energy to the
NIRSA volleyball program. He has served 32 years as a referee, with 30
of those years as a National Referee.
Joe’s history as a member of the USAV is certainly
extensive and multi-faceted. He was Region Commissioner from 1965 until
1968 serving two separate RVA programs. He was elected to the USVBA Board
of Directors in 1973. From 1980 through 1992, he was elected by Region
Volleyball Associations to serve as one of their six directors. In 1992,
he was elected as USVBA secretary and has served on various and numerous
committees as a member and chair at the Division and Corporation levels.
He plays a significant role on the Corporations Structure and Function
Committee from 1967 to the present.
Joe has been honored with many recognitions
and awards: the Edward P. Lauten Scorekeeper Award, the Glen G. Davis Referee
Award, the Dr. Neville A. Booth Commissioner Award, the Nancy Sharpless
Scorekeeper Award, the Wilbur Peck Referee Emeritus Award, the Chesapeake
RVA Commissioner Emeritus Award, the USVBA Leader in Volleyball Award,
the 1972 AAU Emil Breitkreutz Leadership Award, and the 1999 Pioneer Award
for Volleyball. Obviously Joe Sharpless has devoted most of his life and
energies to his love of the game of volleyball. We offer him this Region’s
thanks and congratulations.
— Anne Hughes
(703)451-3082
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