Gregory William Sharpe

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Gregory “Greg” William Sharpe, 61, of Lincoln called his last play on February 14, 2025. Greg passed away, surrounded by his family, following a year long courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Born October 5, 1963, in Kansas City, MO to William and Frances Marilyn (McKie) Sharpe, he grew up in Olathe, KS.

Greg’s love for all things sports started at a very young age. While in high school he participated in basketball and track, but his true passion and dream was to be behind the microphone for the games. Starting in grade school, he would spend hours on Saturdays and Sundays, honing his skills with a cassette recorder, all in an effort to reach his goal of one day becoming a sports broadcaster.

Greg graduated from Blue Valley High School in Stanley, KS, class of 1982.

He went on to pursue a broadcast journalism degree at Kansas State University. While there, he took advantage of every opportunity -working as Sports Director for the campus radio station, serving as PA Announcer for basketball, and doing sideline reports and stats for football. He played tenor saxophone in the K-State Jazz Band and was a member of Delta Upsilon Fraternity, serving as President his senior year.

Following graduation in 1986, Greg worked in both radio and television in Topeka, KS. He spent most of his years at WIBW TV, in the sports department. He was hired as the Voice of the Kansas State Wildcats in 1996, a dream job, calling games for his alma mater until 2002. He then served as Program Director and hosted “Sports Sanity” for WIBW radio until he was hired as the Voice of the University of Nebraska Huskers in 2007. He was named Sportscaster of the Year twice in each state and inducted into the Kansas Broadcasters Hall of Fame last year.

Greg served as MC for the Outland Trophy Banquet and the National Strength and Conditioning Association conference for many years. He also loved being a longtime mentor for the Teammates Mentoring program.

While broadcasting was so important to Greg, his family always came first.

He married Amy Lietz on September 16, 1995, and eventually became the best “girl dad” to Emily, Campbell and Taylor. He delighted in watching his girls do what they love. Whether it was soccer, theatre or dance, he was all in.

Preceding him in death were his parents, William and Marilyn (Mickey) Sharpe.

Family members include his wife, Amy, daughters Emily Bowen (Dane), Campbell, and Taylor. Brothers Douglas Sharpe (Mary), and Michael Sharpe (Brenda), Brother-in-law Shawn Lietz (Debbie), In Laws, Mike and Karen Lietz, and nieces and nephews, Caleb Stromgren (Laura), Brandon Stromgren (Thao), Walker Bassett (Kennedy), Jeffrey Lietz, Cooper Lietz, Hannah Sharpe, Kelly Main (Jonathan), Will Sharpe, and Tess Sharpe.

A life celebration gathering will be held on Thursday, February 27, 2025, from 5-7 PM at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 8550 Pioneers Bivd. A memorial service will be held on Friday February 28, 2025, at 1 pm, St. Mark’s United Methodist Church.

Memorials in lieu of flowers to the Nebraska Chapter of TeamMates Mentoring Program or Sports Broadcasting Scholarship Funds at Kansas State University or University of Nebraska.

Scholarship Information

The Greg Sharpe Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o The University of Nebraska Foundation

1010 Lincoln Mall, Suite 300

Lincoln, NE 68508

Please make checks out to University of Nebraska Foundation or give online: https://nufoundation.org/fund/01159910

The Greg Sharpe Memorial Fund/Kansas State University

KSU Foundation

1800 Kimball Ave.

Ste.200

Manhattan, KS 66502

(indicate fund M47492)

To make a gift online, go to www.ksufoundation.org/give/memorials

Condolences online at Roperandsons.com

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March 1, 2025

To Amy and the girls and the family, Our prayers and thoughts are with you all. On behalf of the National Football Foundation Nebraska Chapter and College Football Hall of Fame, we wish you all our strength. Also on behalf of the Outland Trophy Award and Events, we express our condolences! He was the emcee for both events for over 12 years. Greg was always so thoughtful and prepared and always did a great job! He will be missed by all. He always loved going to the ESPN College Football Awards Show in early December and we had such a fun time in his element! I will miss him! Our prayers and thoughts to you all and I am sure he is calling the games in heaven! May he RIP and God Speed! Bob Mancuso Jr NFF Nebraska Chapter and Nebraska Football HOF Outland Trophy Awards Events

– Bob Mancuso Jr

March 1, 2025

My teammate Greg was the best he gave me so much life advice while being able play uno he’d always beat me but made sure I win sum

– Joshua Cruz Barrientos

February 28, 2025

Greg had such a wonderful sense of passion and enthusiasm for the Huskers, and was always so professional and pleasant to work with. I occasionally had the chance to be interviewed by Greg for his radio show, and always started out a bit nervous until I saw Greg’s smiling face on the other side of the mics. He was a good friend to many who knew him, and the warmth of his voice made him a good friend to many he’d never met.

– Shelley

February 28, 2025

While I did not know Greg very long, his impact on my future broadcasting career was so great, it is hard to describe in words. Growing up in rural Nebraska, I was so excited every time I tuned into Husker baseball on the radio. I would say Greg’s energy is part of the reason I have the passion to call the sport like he did. I remember being so scared walking into my first Matt Rhule football show as a freshman student worker for HuskerVision, seeing Greg in the host chair behind the desk, afraid to even introduce myself to the man who shaped Husker football and baseball for me. I remember being so excited after I finally introduced myself, I called my dad to tell him “I met Greg Sharpe!” Even though our conversation was short, I actually bumped into Greg in a Caseys later that day, and he remembered me, as he did with many of the people he talked with! The few times I was able to speak with him on campus, I learned so much, even if the conversation was short. I was honored to be at the same awards banquet as him when he received his Nebraska Broadcaster of the Year honors last summer. Even though I couldn’t call him my closest friend, I cherished every minute I got to learn from Greg. As I head to Yakima Washington for my first real play-by-play gig as the Voice of the Pippins this summer before returning to UNL for my junior year, I plan to dedicate my work to Greg’s memory. I truly would not have my passion for broadcasting without his influence, both over the airwaves and in person. Thank you. -Harmon Johnsen, Sophomore Broadcaster – UNL, Sutherland, NE

– Harmon Johnsen

February 27, 2025

I’ve been a friend and fan of Greg since my early years in learning to coach basketball at K-State. I took classes at K-State with Amy, worked with Greg while I was a student manager for the K-State Basketball team, and later learned the ropes of coaching college basketball with his brother Mike. While a die-hard fan of K-State, I listed to all of his K-State football calls, basketball calls, and even his hosting of the nightly Sports Radio call-in show on WIBW – as well as watching his TV segments. He brought games to life and did so with a professionalism that is so rarely seen in broadcasting today. He made it easy for the K-State nation to transition from Mitch Holthus to his own voice due to his authentic love and appreciation for the school and his attention to detail to doing in the job in a way respected by all K-Staters. Greg was the one of the most sincere and authentic person I’ve ever met and truly bled K-State purple – while he was older than me, I valued his mentorship and friendship as DU Brother, a fellow representative of K-State athletics, an overall K-State fan, and a model of professionalism in the world. He was never too busy to do a friend a favor, and always listened sincerely to everyone’s point of view, and shared advice when asked in a the most caring manner. His K-State Calls were so good – my dad (like many other K-State fans) would put headphones in to listen – even while at the Stadium watching the game. Some of my favorite memories of big K-State wins are his voice echoing thru my head with the calls of Victory – 97 Fiesta Bowl, 98 win over Nebraska, etc. As a fellow girl dad, it doesn’t surprise me he was first and foremost, the best dad ever. Greg knew what mattered in life and clearly made sure to prioritize the right things. While we had not spoken in years, I’ll miss him like a brother. I even appreciated listening to Nebraska calls online -just to hear his voice again. Thoughts and prayers to Amy and the family. #EMAW #Dikaia Godspeed………….

– Ryan W. Koudele

February 26, 2025

Greg, you’ve been my role model ever since I became a Husker, and I just wanted to send my deepest condolences to you and your family. I’m so glad you liked my letter when you were battling and that you got to share it with so many people—I heard how much it meant. Cancer didn’t beat you; you beat cancer by the way you lived—strong and with impact. I almost had the opportunity to meet you if you had gotten better, and that would have meant the world to me. I appreciate your family so much—they’re all great people! Thank you for raising such wonderful daughters. Taylor was the first one to reach out, and I was so surprised that you all were going to set something up for me. That truly meant a lot. From sitting by your family during the 2020 football season—though it wasn’t the best season, it was the most memorable experience of my Husker life. Thinking of you and your family during this time. Sending my deepest condolences! Greg I’m gonna try my best to keep the legacy going! You have taught me to live your life to the fullest and that’s what matters most! Follow your dreams! #SharpeStrongAlways

– Samuel Warner

February 22, 2025

I never met Greg, but I felt like I knew him… I’ve been in the Navy since 2012, and Husker baseball was my first love. While I was gone on sorties and deployments, listening when I could over the internet was something that made home not seem so far away, and Greg’s description of what was going on always made me feel like I was there. Over the years my wife would listen in the truck while we drove down in Florida where I was stationed at the time, she was 6 months pregnant when Chance Hroche threw a complete game against Indiana. My daughters started listening with me the last couple of years. And all through it, Sharpie was the voice we all loved hearing. Thank you for making this sailor and his family feel like we were never all that far from home. More than anything though, I’m happiest because Greg was a brother in Christ, and I look forward to the day when I can tell him all the things I’ve said here, and more, in person. I know his family is sad, and I can’t imagine the hurt right now, but I pray God provides love, comfort, and the peace that passes all understanding to them. You will see him again. Thank you to the Sharpe family, for sharing Greg with so many people.

– Roger

February 22, 2025

Dear Amy & Family: Greg was always the one that my mom and I listened to whether it be Husker football or baseball. He will be deeply missed by Husker Nation. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.

– Karen Kammann

February 21, 2025

As a fellow K-Stater and former work associate of Greg’s father-in-law, Mike, I am so sorry for your loss. I used to very much enjoy getting the latest K-State scoop from Mike while at work that he had picked up from Greg. It was a big loss for K-State fans and a huge gain for Nebraska when Greg headed north. Know that Greg will be missed by many.

– Ken Winkley

February 20, 2025

I never met Greg personally but as long as I’ve been a fan of the Huskers, he seemed like a guy I could definitely get along with and shoot the bull with…. many nights when things at home at my adoptive mom’s farm got crazy, in the fall, I turned on my Huskers on 1110 AM KFAB out of Omaha and for 5 hours before the game, 3 ½ to 4 hours of the game …. with Greg’s voice both normal tone and when he lost it being happy as all get out when we scored…. it was an awesome time. Valentine’s Day 2025 was absolutely tough. And from now on, will be bittersweet. Ms. Amy, Miss Emily, Miss Taylor, and Miss Campbell, please accept my and my wifes our most sincere condolences … Greg will be sorely missed by every Huskers football fan within the State of Nebraska, across the country, and around the world.

– Douglas and April Burcham

February 20, 2025

The first time we met Greg our son Matt brought him to our house the day he moved here from Kansas. He needed a place to hang some clothes that weren’t needed at the time and where better place than a friend’s parents spare bedroom in the basement. When they left we both said what a nice guy he was. Just the beginning. Greg and Amy bought a house just a couple blocks away and Lorna baby sat the girls a few times. And we were so honored to be invited to their house for Christmas gatherings. Always smiles and hugs greeted us when encountering them. Their graciousness always apparent. Greg not only a great husband and father and friend but just a great human being who will be greatly missed. Amy and the girls, our prayers of comfort and strength be with you at this trying time.

– Dan and Lorna Davison

February 20, 2025

A number of years ago our son was Bank of the west sports kid of the week and was fortunate to announce the opening kick off of the Huskers game. Greg was so kind to him as he was super nervous. This is a memory my son will have forever. Thanks to Greg it was a great day!!