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Bill Sharpe
1956 Olympian (Track & Field)
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
High School: West Philadelphia


On November 6, 1956, the late Bill Sharpe departed for
Melbourne, Australia, to compete in the Summer Olympics
Down Under. While most students were preparing for finals
during the Australian Olympiad in Melbourne, Sharpe tuned
up to run in the warm sunshine of the Southern Hemisphere.
But no matter where Sharpe practiced his craft, he made
an impression. Records show Sharpe set an American mark
in the hop, skip and jump (now the triple jump) in an Olympic
warm-up meet of 51 feet, 8 1/2 inches.

On November 27, Sharpe finished fourth during the trials
as he climbed over the 52-foot distance (52-1).
On December 11, Sharpe’s length increased to 52-2 1/4 -
“ a new American Citizen’s” record, but a heel injury prevented
him from flying any further at the Olympics. In January
of 1957, Sharpe was named West Chester’s first All-
American in the sport of track and field.

The native of Philadelphia and graduate of West Philadelphia
High School transferred to West Chester in 1955, but
had to wait until 1956 to compete for the Golden Rams.
In 1956 he flourished under Jack Clokey and excelled in
the broad jump and high jump. He competed in the hop, skip
and jump at the NCAA Championships in Berkley, CA, in
June of 1956, recording a first-place distance of 50-3/4 to
become a National Champion. The distance shattered George
Shaw’s (Columbia) mark of 49-1 7/8.

Sharpe also competed in the Olympic Trials of 1960.