JOE SHARP FORCED TO RETIRE

[Warthog]

Maybe these guys were drinking while on the job? I have no idea what the true story is, but I know I'd lose my job if I was drinking at work.

[JoeFalcon]

As of April 1, 2011 Joe Sharp will be relieved of all of his duties because of an incident on March 15 where he and 3 other colleagues were cited for open container in a parking lot after a BG basketball game

Amstutz was spotted again and again with open containers of leftover Chinese food and there was nary a peep from the UT administration.

[SB-50]

The incident occurred after a basketball tournament game. Toledo Rogers and Mansfield Madison played in Anderson on Mar 17. Perhaps it was then, but the "when" is truly immaterial. Joe and his crew were not working, but enjoying 'a few' after the game during what was a very warm night. There were three others involved, Chad was one and I don't know his disposition. Jake, Joe's asst, was relieved of his duties. Joe is being allowed to retire. I am unaware of the fourth's identity. The (very young) officer that responded to the scene did not who Joe was.

Along with GC, the decision also came from Jim Elsasser, Associate Athletics Director for Internal Affairs.

For those not already familiar, Mr Sharp, aka Sharpie, began at BG in the late 50s as an integral part of BG Athletics/football; 1957 by most accounts. Joe took over the duties in 1981 when Mr Sharp retired. Mr. Sharp never really retired and was always around the program for years. We lost Mr. Sharp in 2000, or maybe 2001. Anyway, Mr. Sharp and Joe ARE the life blood of BG athletics. They have bridged the gap of 55 years of BG student-athletes.

The following is from a Sharp Fund publication:

Glenn Sharp grew up an orphan – and then spent the rest of his life being a father to the hundreds of athletes who wore
the orange and brown of Bowling Green State University.
For over 50 years the beloved equipment manager for BGSU Athletics ruled the equipment room with an iron fist and
a heart as big as Perry Stadium itself. Sharpie and his wife, Helen cared for each and every player equally.
Touchdowns scored and minutes played were never important to the Sharps. The boys came to Bowling Green, were
taken into the family, treated with firmness and compassion that were Sharpie’s trademark...then left as men.
All the stories and all the people Sharpie touched can never be completely documented. There are no career statistics
for the lives he impacted, but what he has done for so many can be recognized and honored.
Therefore former players, coaches, family, and friends have established THE SHARP FUND dedicated to enhancing
the Falcon Tradition through the annual support of BGSU Football.
THE SHARP FUND IS COMMITTED TO:
· Establishing a line of communications between former players by developing a Player Directory
· Continually contact information for all former football players
· Encouraging players to come back to campus, interact with past teammates, support the Falcons at
home football games, and participate in the annual Football Golf Outing – “The Sharpie Shootout”
· Raising funds annually to promote the tradition and success of Falcon Football
Each year a pledge form will go out to former players, encouraging them to support the Falcons and give
what they feel appropriate, whether $10 or $10,000. Once a player has given a cumulative total of at least
$500 his name will go on a locker corresponding with his jersey number in recognition of his support. The
funds raised go exclusively to the enhancement of football facilities.

ENOUGH SAID?!

In addition to the above, The Sharpie Shootout, a charity golf event, is held annually at the golf course with over 100 entrants each year. The Board of the Foundation is letting things simmer down before deciding on its course of action.

Despite Joe's mistake(s), they do not warrant sending this man out in this manner, and denigrating the legacy of this family. This is truly a sad chapter in BG athletics, as this loss will be felt by thousands of BG alum who revere Mr Sharp and Joe as father-figures, mentors and friends.

[BGorDeath]

Did anyone consider that this may be a repeat offense? I would get canned if I was drinking on my company grounds on or off duty. I understand the importance of the Sharp's, but no one person is bigger than the institution, except maybe Jim Tressel.

[footballguy51]

Did anyone consider that this may be a repeat offense? I would get canned if I was drinking on my company grounds on or off duty. I understand the importance of the Sharp's, but no one person is bigger than the institution, except maybe Jim Tressel.

This was my thought, to an extent. Even if it was a first offense, open container laws pertain to everybody. Since he is affiliated with the University's athletics, and you all know him so well, would it not have been seen as a poor choice to allow such a figurehead to violate the law on school grounds? It this was just some fan, they would have been cited or arrested. Joe probably was, too. However, by not taking action, BGSU would be sending the message that they condoned the behavior. We get on BGSU's case if they don't reprimand students for such things. Joe Sharp represents BGSU, even off-the-clock.

[Falcon Commander]

Is it illegal to drink in the parking lot(s)? A/A, Ice Arena, Doyt??

[SB-50]

Did anyone consider that this may be a repeat offense? I would get canned if I was drinking on my company grounds on or off duty. I understand the importance of the Sharp's, but no one person is bigger than the institution, except maybe Jim Tressel.

This was my thought, to an extent. Even if it was a first offense, open container laws pertain to everybody. Since he is affiliated with the University's athletics, and you all know him so well, would it not have been seen as a poor choice to allow such a figurehead to violate the law on school grounds? It this was just some fan, they would have been cited or arrested. Joe probably was, too. However, by not taking action, BGSU would be sending the message that they condoned the behavior. We get on BGSU's case if they don't reprimand students for such things. Joe Sharp represents BGSU, even off-the-clock.

I agree with this completely. However, there are other means of punishment; unpaid suspension, community service, public service announcements and mandatory alcohol rehab training, or even testing.

The Sharp family pre-dates half of the buildings on campus, all of the athletic facilities and even the hockey program. I realize all traditions must pass, I truly don't feel this one should pass in this manner.

[Drago]

From people I've talked to, Sharpie is someone people can count on to do his job well...you can't replace quality people easily, and with the way our department performs, I would think they would want to hold on to people like that. GC needs to be replaced with someone who actually understands how to win in college athletics. Hopefully someone steps in and prevents this.

[birdman]

I have seen Joe on campus many times and he always took time to see how things are going. It's a huge loss for BG. No matter what happened he and his family have payed a big price. Sad to see that happen the way it did. Joe will truly be missed by all who knew him, He's a great person and will be remembered that way. We love ya Joe, thank You for being a true falcon. He knows who Birdman is.

[SB-50]

For the sake of accuracy, per the BG News Blotter, the citations were given on March 15 at 8:12 p.m. in Lot N (next to Anderson arena, across Ridge from Health Center)

[footballguy51]

For the sake of accuracy, per the BG News Blotter, the citations were given on March 15 at 8:12 p.m. in Lot N (next to Anderson arena, across Ridge from Health Center)

Rarely do I quote the BG News in order to be accurate, but I'll let this occurrence slide.

[SB-50]

For the sake of accuracy, per the BG News Blotter, the citations were given on March 15 at 8:12 p.m. in Lot N (next to Anderson arena, across Ridge from Health Center)

Rarely do I quote the BG News in order to be accurate, but I'll let this occurrence slide.

Copy that! However, it was corroborative of the initial report, thereby credible.

[Flipper]

Lots of questions come to mind....does the University have a "zero-tolerance" policy on alcohol related offenses? Was this a repeat offense? Was there some issue with the way the guys who were cited dealt with the Campus Police that lead to this becoming more thn just an issue with a few cans of beer? Did they want the guy out and this was the best, first excuse?

The whole "allowed to retire" bit sounds like the kind of compromise that is made to avoid a lawsuit...The University punishes him but he gets to keep some retirement benefits that probably would have evaporated had he been straight out fired.

I have no idea about who's right or wrong here...but it's definitely a sorry end to a career.

[BillyLP]

Not to be THAT guy, but I spoke with someone close to the situation who said this was both GC and Coach Clawson who saw to it that Sharp should be forced to retire, and the citation was the perfect excuse to make it happen.

EDIT: Whether the statement above is true or not, I don't know. Just what I was told. My apologies for being accusatory. Realistically none of us know exactly the events that led to Sharpie being pushed out. I just find it hard to believe that an open container citation is enough to end a relationship as deep as the one between the Sharp family and Falcon athletics.

[footballguy51]

Was he not getting the job done anymore? Perhaps it was time to put him out to pasture, just like A LOT of people have been saying about Joe Paterno.