By Chase Hartsell
On September 24, Ouachita Athletic Director David Sharp handed the Tiger football team the “Traveling Trophy” after it defeated in-state rival Harding at Cliff Harris Stadium in a matchup between two of the nation’s top ten teams.
On October 8, however, Sharp hopes to hand the program a trophy that hits even closer to home for him and his family.
That day, Ouachita will take on Southwestern Oklahoma State in its homecoming game, and the winner of the contest will walk away with the Paul Sharp Cup.
Brotherly Love and Sibling Rivalry
The son of a former Tiger football player and a Ouachita alumna, Paul Sharp played football for his parents’ alma mater in college despite growing up in Arizona. After his final season as a player, the elder Sharp brother stayed with the Tigers as an assistant coach. Around this time, David, Paul’s younger brother, made his way to Arkadelphia to play for Ouachita.
“[Paul] was my coach up until my senior year,” David said. The younger Sharp brother held and continues to hold great respect for his older sibling, saying, “He and my dad are my heroes.”
As David wrapped up his playing career with the Tigers, Paul found work in other college programs, eventually landing the head coaching job at Southwestern Oklahoma State. While there, he led the Bulldogs to an NAIA National Championship in 1996.
David Sharp prepares to hand the “Traveling Trophy” to the Ouachita football team after a thrilling 21-13 victory over #7 Harding on September 24. | Photo: Ouachita Football 
Coach Paul Sharp and the Southwestern Oklahoma State football team celebrate their 1996 NAIA National Championship. | Photo: Southwestern Oklahoma State University 
Coach Paul Sharp (pictured) left a lasting impact on the football programs at both Ouachita and Southwestern Oklahoma State. | Photo: Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Meanwhile, David began his own coaching career as a member of the staff at Ouachita. The two brothers got the opportunity to face each other multiple times, with the younger Sharp coming out on top more often than not.
“[Paul] only beat us once when I coached,” David remembered with a chuckle.
Despite the sibling rivalry between the two coaches, Paul and David stayed close.
“We talked all of the time,” David explained. “He wasn’t just my hero; he was my best friend.”
A New Battle
In 2012, Paul passed away unexpectedly. The coaching staffs at Ouachita and Southwestern (both members of the newly-established Great American Conference) sought to preserve the legacy of a player and coach who had a great impact on both of their universities. Their solution: the Paul Sharp Cup.
Each year, the winner of the annual matchup between the Tigers and the Bulldogs is now presented a traveling trophy named in honor of the elder Sharp brother. This season, the showdown between Ouachita and Southwestern will fittingly take place on Homecoming.
“Being the homecoming game, a lot of people will hear about [the cup]. A lot of people [that will be in attendance] knew Paul and knew my parents,” David noted. “Our lives resonate around Ouachita football. It’s an honor that we’ll be playing that game, the homecoming game, and it will be the battle for the Paul Sharp trophy.”
Regardless of who walks away with the cup next weekend, one can be sure of this: the Sharp family legacy will be alive and well at Ouachita Homecoming.
Chase Hartsell Sports 