Grinnell College Athletics

Melissa "Missy" Sharer '91-earned her way into the Grinnell Athletic Hall of Fame by accomplishing more during her brief two-year career than most do in twice the time. A junior transfer from Marshalltown Community College, Sharer had an immediate impact on the women's basketball team. During her first season as a Pioneer, she led the country in three-point shooting, averaging 52.5 percent from beyond the arc. She shared most-valuable honors and was selected to the all-conference team. Missy's career peaked during her senior season when she and fellow inductee Jenny Wood '92 led the Pioneers to a 77-62 victory over Illinois College in the conference title game. Missy netted 42 points, bringing her season total to 794-a national best-and her two-year career total to 1,265, second best in school history. Deservedly, Sharer received most valuable player and all-conference honors in addition to being selected as a First-Team Kodak All-American and GTE Academic All-America Player of the Year. Sharer's jersey number was retired in '91 and her name remains atop the record books in seven categories. Following graduation, Missy returned to her hometown of Marshalltown to assume the responsibilities as women's basketball coach at Marshalltown Community College. In 1995 she was appointed head coach at Grand View College where she led the team to back-to-back Midwest Classic Conference titles. Nominated as MCC Coach of the Year in both 1997 and 1998, Sharer also was a two-time finalist for the Women's Basketball Coaches Association National Coach of the Year.