West Des Moines native Whitney Sharpe joined the Drake women’s soccer staff in the spring of 2018 after four seasons as a volunteer assistant coach for Iowa State. Sharpe, who was a standout player for West Des Moines Valley, played professionally for one of the biggest clubs in Europe, Ajax FC in Amsterdam, Netherlands. During her two seasons with Ajax, Sharpe played the most minutes on the team, and helped them win the KNVB National Championship in 2014.
Prior to her professional career, U15-U20, Sharpe was a part of the US National Team earning titles such as NSCAA Adidas All-American in 2006 and 2007, and First Team Parade All-American in 2008. Sharpe represented the United States in tournaments in Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, and across the United States. Sharpe was also a part of the Region II ODP team from 2005-2008 gaining both national and international experience.
After her outstanding career at Valley and at the club level, Sharpe was ranked the No. 16 national recruit by Soccer Buzz and played her first two college seasons at UCLA under Coach Jill Ellis. She helped the Bruins win the PAC 10 in 2008, and appear in back-to-back NCAA Final Fours in 2008 and 2009. Sharpe spent her junior season at Texas Tech University under Tom Stone where she sustained a season-ending injury, but was named to the All-Big 12 Newcomer First Team and All-Big 12 Second Team. Her senior season was at Loyola Marymount University where she was the team captain and named to the All-West Coast Conference Second Team, and West Coast Conference All-Academic Team.
In high school, Sharpe helped lead the Tigers to four consecutive state championship titles. Sharpe is the school’s all-time leading scorer with 58 goals and 36 assists. She was a three-time All-State Elite First Team selection, and two-time Iowa Gatorade Player of the Year.
Sharpe, who holds her USSF ‘C’ license, is the Technical Director and Communications Advisor for the West Des Moines Soccer Club and Sporting Iowa, where she works with the 2007, 2005, 2001 age group clubs. She has worked with the Iowa Olympic Development Program with their 2005 age group for two years. Her 2001 team is a two-time state champion and regional semi-finalist. She is married to Max Lewis.
