Greg Sharpe Obituary, Cause of Death: Former KSU Play-by-Play announcer dead at 61
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Greg Sharpe, the former play-by-play announcer for Kansas State University (KSU) and the long-time voice of Nebraska football and baseball. Sharpe, 61, died on Saturday morning after a courageous year-long battle with pancreatic cancer. His death marks the end of an illustrious career in sports broadcasting that spanned decades and touched the lives of countless fans, players, and colleagues.
Greg Sharpe, an Olathe native, had a deep connection to Kansas, both personally and professionally. He was a graduate of Blue Valley High School and Kansas State University (K-State), where he began his career in sports broadcasting. As a student, Sharpe worked with the Wildcat Radio Network, starting his journey as a stat-keeper. His dedication and passion for sports broadcasting led him to a position at WIBW in Topeka in 1986, where he initially worked as an intern before becoming a full-time member of the station. During his time in Topeka, Sharpe also contributed as a color analyst for K-State men’s basketball and a sideline reporter for Wildcat football.
In 1996, Sharpe took on a pivotal role in K-State sports history, becoming the eighth “Voice of the Wildcats.” His first broadcast in this new role was the inaugural Big 12 game between K-State and Texas Tech to open the 1996 season. Over the next six years, Sharpe’s voice became synonymous with the most successful period in K-State football history. Under his call, K-State accumulated 59 wins in seven seasons, including five 11-win campaigns, two Big 12 North championships, and five bowl game appearances. Sharpe’s play-by-play coverage of K-State’s rise in the Big 12 was a defining feature of his time in Manhattan.
After leaving K-State in 2002, Sharpe continued his broadcasting career, moving to Nebraska at the end of the 2007 season. There, he became the “Voice of the Huskers,” a position he held until his death. Sharpe’s tenure as Nebraska’s play-by-play announcer was marked by his deep knowledge of the game, his passion for the teams he called, and his ability to connect with fans. His work with Nebraska football and baseball earned him widespread respect in the sports community.
