SERVING SWEETLY: Kelly Sharp’s Lancer legacy

WINONA LAKE, Ind. - Sports are often defined by numbers. Games are decided by points, runs and goals. Student-athletes celebrate milestones and school records. Teams are judged on polls, statistics and standings.

But for one of the most important figures in Grace College’s athletic department, success is measured not by numbers but by warm smiles and empty candy wrappers.

GETTING STARTED

Kelly Sharp has served as the office manager for Grace’s athletic department for the past 18 years. With a joyful spirit and sincere heart for the Lord, Sharp has had a deep impact on multiple generations of Lancers in her role.

Her time with the Lancers is coming to a close, however, with her impending retirement at the end of May.

Sharp initially began working at Grace in the Office of Information Technology (OIT). Sharp and her husband Mark had three sons who played all sorts of sports (including Jordan, a soccer player at Grace). She always thought working in athletics would be a fun, interesting profession.

An office manager position opened up in athletics during the spring of 2007, and Sharp jumped at the opportunity. 

For a going-away present, the OIT department handed Sharp a candy jar, equipping Sharp with one of her most-effective tools for years to come.

LAYING THE GROUNDWORK

Sharp began her work with the Lancers during unsettled times. The athletic department was just about to open up its sparkling new home – the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center – with a first-time athletic director – Chad Briscoe.

Sharp was about to get a new home and a new boss.

Fortunately, the connection between Briscoe and Sharp proved to be seamless from the start. The duo both commented how similar their personalities were, providing a balanced foundation to begin building up the department.

“It’s amazing how much Grace has changed from when I started. We started with around 80 student-athletes and now have over 400,” Sharp recalled. “From the beginning, Chad and I had to learn everything together. We figured things out as we went and grew together.”

She gave special credit to Briscoe for setting the tone for the athletic department from the onset of their tenures. “Chad is such a godly man with an amazing heart for the students. He points people to God, and we can be honest with each other,” she added. “He’s the same person every day, which creates trust between us.”

Briscoe was quick to recognize the unique traits that made Sharp a home run in her position.

“Kelly daily displays servant leadership, integrity, humility, patience and truly all of the fruits of the Spirit. She consistently points people to Christ and helped shape the culture of our department,” Briscoe added. “From doing her daily work with excellence to being quick to offer an encouraging word, Kelly was the perfect fit at Grace at the perfect time.”

SWEET MEMORIES

In her role as office manager, Sharp is often one of the first interactions that people receive when they arrive on campus. She has become well-loved for her warm, infectious personality, providing a positive experience for visitors to Grace. 

But Sharp has a secret weapon – a fully stocked candy jar. The offering of free confectionary delights has brought countless people to her desk over the years.

And while the candy jar was initially intended just for student-athletes, the jar has brought in professors, parents, fans and alumni as well, coming as much for the chats as they do for the chocolate.

With Sharp having served for two decades, she now gets to enjoy a new crop of candy-eaters – young children from families of coaches and alumni. These future Lancers make “Kelly’s Candy Jar” the must-see attraction on any visit to campus.

But filling a physical need for free sugar allows Sharp to connect with visitors on a deeper level. She has demonstrated an ability to quickly build rapport, and the result is often heartfelt conversations about life, relationships and the Lord.

“The candy jar lets students feel comfortable coming in. I always try to make eye contact and get them to talk. It’s amazing when you look eye to eye with someone, you can often see how they’re really doing,” Sharp said. “Once you address the first need, then it can evolve into something deeper.”

One memorable interaction came with golfer Tyler Ham, who played at Grace from 2014-17. 

Ham didn’t grow up with the same religious upbringing that many of his peers did.

But Ham found a kind, listening ear in Sharp. Their daily conversations eventually deepened, allowing Ham to gradually ask questions and learn more about Christianity.

Toward the end of his career, Ham stopped by Sharp’s candy jar again – this time with his own sweet surprise. Ham had professed his faith for Christ during a road trip with the golf team.

“Kelly was such a bright spot during my time at Grace, and she impacted my life for the better more than she will ever know,” Ham said. “Kelly was always a shining light, showed interest in my life outside of sports and allowed me to be my real self. She made me want to be like her because I wanted to treat people the way that she did.”

CLOSING TIME

Sharp has nearly two decades of experience with athletics. On campus, she has become the go-to source for essential daily operations, including in the areas of insurance, eligibility, camps and much more. She has even been recognized nationally as the recipient of the NCCAA Game Plan 4 LIFE Character Award.

Sliding into Sharp’s chair will be Megan Lindsey, who has had the perk of being trained shoulder-to-shoulder by Sharp over the past few months. Sharp said that her time training Lindsey has been very sweet, noting that “she is extremely capable and will be a real asset to Grace for years to come.”

But after 18 years, letting go has been bittersweet for Sharp. Her motivation lies in what’s ahead – the freedom to spend more quality time with her family and growing number of grandchildren.

“I’ve loved my time at Grace. I feel very blessed to have worked here for as long as I did. I’ve always tried to be as much of an encouragement to the students as they have been to me,” she said. “I will miss all the friendships and interactions I have had at Grace, but I look forward to what God has in store for me.”

Sharp’s candy jar is passing on to a new owner over the coming days. Her beaming smile will no longer greet students, parents and fans in the office.

But while her days behind the desk are numbered, her impact will be felt for years to come.