Chuck Sharkey

Elected : USSSA New York Hall Of Fame in 2007
Inducted : March 2008, Syracuse, NY

Chuck started his softball coaching career in the late 1970's in the 'C' and 'D' City-Rec Leagues in Syracuse. His teams never had a losing record and they won various division titles and playoffs. In 1986, he combined 2 teams from the City-Rec League to form the highly successful and competitive Parsons McKenna / Lafayette Inn team. It consisted of 3 brothers (Frank, Bob and Don Chajkowski) and 4 brothers (John, Steve, Chris and Dick Donegan) along with Dan Wiecek and Don Livingston that had excellent chemistry to stay together for 12 years. The team won the Lafayette League 6 years in a row (going 19-0 one year) and the City County Championships in 1989.

In February 1995, 'Inside CNY Softball' was born when Chuck expanded his love of softball to publishing a newspaper. His 'SHark Sightings' column expressed his views on softball while the 'Between the lines' column allowed any ballplayer their own opinion on the game. Chuck published 14 issues from 1995-1997.

In 1997the 'Electric Press/Santoro Trucking' USSSA Class 'D' tournament team was formed. Chuck built a team based on high average hitters, speed and defense. They won their first NIT tourney in Massachusetts and a berth to the World Series in Sterling Heights, Michigan. They earned a #1 ranking in the Northeast by winning at Mass., 2nd in Syracuse NIT, 2nd in USSSA State Tournament and 3rd in the Northeast Divisional. They finished 2nd in the USSSA Class 'D' World Series out of 48 teams.

The electric Press ended up #1 in the Northeast and 4th in the Country that year and was the highest finish of any Syracuse team at a World Series up to that point. In 2003, Chuck's focus turned to Senior Softball. He Coached the Salt City Seniors 55 team to ISF World Series title in Manassas, Va. in 2004. His Shark Sports 50's Team won the New England Classic in their first tournament in May of 2007. Their Success continued that year finishing 2nd in the Atlantic Coast Championships in Maryland and 5th in the Winter Nationals in Fort Myers, Florida.

Chuck's ability to recognize athletic talent along with good team chemistry has helped him achieve a winning percentage close to .800. He is grateful for the talent he has coached and the camaraderie he has had with them over the years.