Randy Sharpe
Inducted 2009
Randy was an icon on the local sports scene from 1980 until his untimely death in October of 2008.
His love of sports while growing up in Jesup won him a spot on the Georgia Bulldog roster. Knee problems ended his active career but Coach Vince Dooley allowed him become the team trainer. He also became the chief high school recruiter.
When he moved to Waycross with the recreation department, he impressed many people. Waycross High School placed him on staff as the head trainer for all sports in 1980. When they merged with Ware County High School, Randy retained the same position after consolidation in 1994.
The staffs at both high schools are greatly indebted to Randy for the countless athletic injuries he has treated over the span of 28 years. Most athletes “down time”was far less than anticipated due to Randy’s expertise in the field of sports medicine.
Randy taught a student trainer course for many years and the proteges are thankful for his tutelage. Many sought to follow in his footsteps as athletic trainers after high school. The legacy he leaves is monumental.
He was a member of the Olympic Committee of Waycross-Ware County in the 1990s. He became the official trainer for the Lithuanian Olympic team that trained in Waycross and went to Atlanta with them for their competitions.
Randy died doing one of the things he loved the best, his duties as Trainer for our local high school. He was finishing up his duties at Ware County High School after returning from a Friday night away game.
Randy was very active in many community affairs and appreciated by many.
He was laid to rest in Bulldog Haven, ( A special Section for Georgia Lettermen) in Oconee Cemetery near Sanford Stadium on the University of Georgia Campus. He was the first person to be buried in that section.
Randy was married to Joyce Carpenter and their two sons are Jonathan Randall and Joshua William Sharpe.