Sharpe embraces NU broadcasting challenge
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BY JEFF KORBELIK / Lincoln Journal Star
In broadcasting circles, what Greg Sharpe did last fall is comparable to Kirk Gibson’s performance in the 1988 World Series.
He came in cold and hit it out of the park.
As Husker fans know, Sharpe filled in for Jim Rose as the “Voice of the Huskers” for the final three college football games of the season.
What they may not know is he had less than 48 hours to prepare for the first of those games — Nebraska’s 76-39 loss to then No. 8 Kansas.
“Unusual, very unusual,” Sharpe said, describing the moment from the conference room in the Haymarket offices of the Husker Sports Network.
He vividly remembers the phone call he received from HSN general manager David Witty requesting his services.
Sharpe’s first response was concern for Jim Rose, Nebraska’s regular play-by-play announcer.
“Is Jim OK?” Sharpe remembered asking Witty.
The general manager said he couldn’t get into it; he just needed to know if Sharpe could help on extremely short notice.
Fortunately, Sharpe was familiar with both programs. He had called two Nebraska pay-per-view television games, and the Jayhawks were regular fodder on his radio show in Topeka, Kan.
“And the fact I had done games with Matt (Davison) and known Adrian (Fiala) for years. … It was easier for me to step in that role than a lot of other people,” Sharpe said. “I think we were able to pull it off pretty well.”
Well enough that when Jim Rose eventually resigned as the play-by-play voice for personal reasons, Sharpe zoomed to the top of the list as his replacement.
“We were very lucky,” Witty said. “What he did on our behalf said a lot of his ability.”
Now a month into his new job, the 44-year-old Sharpe is beginning to feel at home.
He will serve as the Huskers’ play-by-play radio voice for football and baseball, host coaches’ TV shows, continue calling TV men’s basketball games and sell advertising for the network.
Sharpe definitely looked the part during an interview, wearing a black Husker windshirt, and he’s become comfortable enough in his new role to joke about the stressful three-game stretch last fall, when Nebraska and its opponents combined for 665 points.
“I think we set the Guinness Book of World Records for those three games,” he said. “The amount of points scored in the Kansas, Kansas State and Colorado games was phenomenal.”
Now, Sharpe’s ready to be the liaison to Husker Nation. He understands the responsibility that comes with it.
“I realize I’m one of the big faces of the school, the voice of the school, the one (people) flip on the radio on Saturdays to hear,” he said. “I want to get out across the state and meet people, shake some hands. I want to get out there to the far corners of the state and introduce myself to the Husker faithful.”
He’ll tell them he’s a Kansan, raised in Olathe. That he grew up listening to KU, Kansas State and Missouri football games. That his father went to KU and that he graduated from K-State.
His mother, however, is an NU graduate, and his uncle is a loyal Husker booster. And, today, Sharpe’s allegiances lie with them and the Big Red.
“This is one of the best jobs in the country,” he said. “The fan base and the fact that it’s THE school in the state … I have such a great respect for Nebraska.”
He’s already saying the right things. …
Sharpe comes to Lincoln from Topeka, Kan., where he was operations director at radio station WIBW.
He grew up knowing the wanted to be a broadcaster. As a kid, he spent his fall afternoons in his bedroom with radios and a small TV, tracking scores from around the country and listening to Jayhawk, Wildcat and Tiger football games.
“My mom and dad would say ‘It’s a beautiful day. Don’t you want to go outside?’” Sharpe remembered. “I said ‘No, this is what I want to be doing.’”
His resume includes four years as Kansas State’s play-by-play announcer, leaving after the 2001-02 season. He counts former Wildcat football coach Bill Snyder among his close friends. Snyder and his wife attended Sharpe’s farewell party in Topeka.
“It was not easy to get in his circle,” said Sharpe, noting Snyder and Sharpe’s predecessor Mitch Holthus (now the Kansas City Chiefs play-by-play announcer) were “tight.” “I had to earn his confidence.”
Sharpe started calling Nebraska TV basketball games during the 2003-04 season, driving up from Topeka to do so. He said it helped get his foot in the door at Nebraska.
Still, when Witty offered him the Husker play-by-play job in January, Sharpe had to think about it. His family, after all, had built a good life in Topeka. His wife, Amy Lietz, was a popular anchor at NBC affiliate KSNT-TV. The couple has two girls, ages 8 and 5.
“(Amy) was ready for a change, too, and is excited about getting up here,” Sharpe said.
Witty calls the transition between Rose and Sharpe seamless.
“It pretty much speaks to his professionalism,” the HSN general manager said, recalling the positive feedback he received about Sharpe from listeners after the Nebraska-Kansas football game.
“The funny thing about broadcasting is that people want to shoot the messenger,” Witty said. “If the teams doesn’t play well, the play-by-play guy often gets the blame.”
That didn’t happen after the KU loss.
“The feedback from Greg’s performance was great all week,” Witty said. “The team gave up 76 points, but we had people calling and saying he did a good job.”
Sharpe’s performance may not have been as dramatic as Gibson’s game-winning World Series home, but in the broadcasting terms, it was close. Nobody was happier about it than Sharpe.
“I’ve really liked getting back in the radio booth and having the radio call,” Sharpe said. “It brought back to me how much I missed it.”
Reach Jeff Korbelik at 473-7213 or jkorbelik@journalstar.com.
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