Few would argue that Bob Sharpe is the best basketball player our city has ever produced. He began to hone his skills in the gym at Bishop MacDonnell High School but it wasn’t until he attended the University of Guelph that he really began to shine.
In 1974 he lead the underdog Gryphons to a dramatic CIAU title. The Gryph’s were only admitted to the tournament after MacMaster turned down a wildcard invitation, but once in,they pulled off three consecutive upsets. Sharpe led the way, despite spraining his ankle in the first game of the tournament, and was named the tournament’s MVP. Over his career he was OUAA allstar three times, and an all-Canadian twice.
From university Sharpe became a member of Canada’s national basketball team and was a key cog on the 1976 Olympic team that came within a few points of winning a medal. Canada lost to Russia in the Bronze medal game, but their forth place finished stunned many experts.
Through all his success, Sharpe never forgot about his community. Realizing all that basketball had given him, he became one of the directors and founding members of the Catholic Youth Organization basketball program in Guelph enabling many kids to learn the joy of basketball.
He has lead the St. James senior boys team to many championships over the years and was also an accomplished fastball player with the Guelph Ingrams.
Inducted into the Guelph Sports Hall of Fame April 29, 1996
