Sharon M. Pettis Randolph

In loving memory of a wonderful person and a great sister. We will love you always.

Family gathered for Mardi Gras and we all remembered your love for family and friends. We all missed your wonderful humor and your beautiful heart. Rest my sister in God heavenly peace.

My beautiful sister, we love and miss you so very much. May the lord bless you and allow you to rest in his holy peace.

Im really saddened to hear about the death of Sharon Randolph. She was very dear to me personally, since she was a close friend and the first womens tennis coach at Marquette, at a time the mens basketball program was a national powerhouse under Al McGuire and the womens athletic program was just beginning.

Sharon was one of the top players in Wisconsin and a beautiful player on the court. She attracted and mesmerized the crowds whenever she played. Spectators used to spontaneously congregate and marvel at her athleticism when she worked out against the men players at local tennis clubs. Sharons talent for tennis was recognized early in her youth in New Orleans, Louisiana, where she was recruited into a junior development program. She played competitively, eventually joining and competing on the mens tennis team at Southern University. Sharon was the Serena Williams of her day. She hit the ball as hard as the men, served even harder and had a strong mental attitude. What really attracted people to her was her innate athletic ability. She had great reflexes, beautiful ground strokes and a powerful net game. Her style was full of grace. There were few women players at the time with such beauty, strength and innate talent.

In 1974, there was no womens athletic program at Marquette University. Those of us who wanted to play tennis in college played on the mens team. We participated in the competitive tryouts, vying for a spot on the 12 man team, and enjoyed the workouts and coaching from great players. With the passage of Title IX, there was a strong interest in starting a Womens program. I vividly remember brainstorming with Chas Much during a mens basketball game about a Womens Athletic program. He assured me there was a very strong commitment at the highest levels of the athletic department, including from Al McGuire who was the athletic director at the time. I offered recommendations for organizing the program, including potential coaches, top players, conferences, spring trips and schedules. Among the coaches that I admired and recommended was Sharon Randolph. As the plans slowly materialized, Sharon agreed to take the job and thus, she became the first head coach of the womens tennis program at Marquette. Sharon helped build the Womens program from the ground up. She faced many challenges and broke through many barriers along the way. We had no recruits. Our scholarships consisted of $150, reserved for books. We practiced in the Helfaer Center but only when the building was closed from 9:00 - 11:30 pm. Although our conference schedule started slow, it improved every year. Under Sharon's leadership, we won the Conference Championship in 1978.

Sharon had a beautiful smile, a great sense of humor and an engaging personality. As a coach, she was approachable and encouraging, strong but never critical. She worked on techniques on and off the court and was always talking about a strong mental attitude, a key component of every sport. We loved her and respected her. We lost touch with her when she moved back to New Orleans but never forgot the impact she had in our lives. Sharon will always hold a special place in the hearts of those of us who dreamed the dream of a Womens athletic program at Marquette. She will be dearly missed but never forgotten.

I am enclosing some photographs of her and her teams, and a brochure with her bio from her coaching career. I would be happy to share more memories with her family at any time.

Easily, the Best Aunt Ever!!! And the Best Person to have Grilled Oysters with on a Saturday evening! Forever Loving You!...Little Richard III

My deepest condolences and prayers to Sharon's family. Sharon was my tennis coach freshman year for the Women's Tennis Team at Marquette University. She was always smiling, had a great sense of humor, had much enthusiasm for tennis & a competitive spirit. I am sure she will be missed by her family & friends.

My condolences to the family. May the peace that comes from the love and memories comfort you now and in the days ahead. My childhood friend - Sharon, Rest In Peace

Carolyn, New Orleans, Louisiana

Condolences to the petties and Randolph Family
R.l.H. Sharon
From Mrs Rose M Fortenberry and family

Many good childhood memories! My condolences to the family.
Rev. Gilda Simmons Parnell, Atlanta

I will miss you I now you gone to a better place
Its so hard for me I will never forget all the good times we had together and always remember were I got my nickname Glopop from you gave me the name years ago Rest on my sister