Background
Sharpless, Joseph Benjamin was born on February 4, 1933 in Takoma Park, Maryland, United States. Son of William Raiford and Julia Maude (Rouse) Sharpless.
Sharpless, Joseph Benjamin was born on February 4, 1933 in Takoma Park, Maryland, United States. Son of William Raiford and Julia Maude (Rouse) Sharpless.
Bachelor, Earlham College, 1955; Master of Science, Pennsylvania State University, 1960.
Instructor recreation Montgomery County Recreation Department, Rockville, Maryland, 1957—1958. From program supervisor to director Recreation and Parks Department, Livingston, New Jersey, 1959—1970. Chief recreation service Maryland.-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Prince George's County, Riverdale, Maryland, 1970—1977, parks and recreation division chief, 1977—1995.
Retired, 1995
Member board regents, instructor School Sports Management North Carolina State University, 1989—1992.
Director volleyball Special Olympics Inc., 1994—2007. Technical delegate Special Olympics World Summer Games, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, United States of America National Special Olympics Games, 2006, Special Olympics Global Sports Reserve Team, since 2008, technical delegate emeritus, 2009. Trustee United States Volleyball Education Foundation, 1976—2005, secretary, 1996—2005.
National volleyball chairman Amateur Athletic Union, 1966—1969, 1972. National commissioner United States Volleyball, 1976—1981. Member volleyball games staff 1996 Olympic Games, Atlanta.
Staff World Volleyball Congress, 1996. Vice president Montpelier Community Association, South Laurel, Maryland, 1983—1984, president, 1985. Member Maryland Sports Advisory Committee, 1988—1992, Maryland State Games Commissioner, 1986—1991.
President NJAAU, 1968—1970, volleyball chairman, 1961—1970, Potomac Valley Amateur Athletic Union, 1971—1973. Fellow: National Recreation Parks Association (life Berman Professional Citation award Mid-Atlantic Regional Council 1995, Distinguished Service award 1995, Distinguished Fellow award 1996). Member: New Jersey Soccer Officials Association (secretary, treasurer 1966-1970), National Capitol Area Board Volleyball Officials (secretary 1985-1989), School and College Soccer Officials Association (secretary, treasurer 1965-1970, delegate Mid-Atlantic NRPA regional council 1969-1979), Maryland Recreation and Park Association (vice president 1975-1977, president 1977-1978, Member of the Year 1975, citation 1985), New Jersey Recreation and Parks Association (secretary 1965, vice president 1966, president 1967, Distinguished Fellow 1996), American Park and Recreation Society (board directors 1977-1980, national council, council affiliate president), National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association (secretary 1966-1968, treasurer 1968-1970), United States of America Volleyball (regional commissioner 1965-1978, national official 1967-1996, board directors 1973—2008, vice president 1974-1990, executive committee 1976-1980, 1985-1989, executive consultant 1989—2004, executive committee 1992-1996, corporation secretary 1992-1996, managing editor publications 1994-1998, vice president 1996—2008, referee, and scorekeeper emeritus 2000, national referee emeritus 2000, vice president emeritus 2009, national scorekeeper emeritus 1997, numerous awards).
Married Nancy Kathleen Steffen, July 28, 1962 (deceased February 1988). 1 child, Carole Marie.