Sharon Lockridge – class of 1980

Sharon graduated from Burke in 1980 as an extremely quiet unassuming young lady.  While at Burke she participated in Girls J.V. Basketball under Coach Moelner.  After graduation she attended Dana College in Blair, Nebraska, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a Minor in Economics.   

As a child her aspirations were to become a kindergarten teacher or a lawyer.  Neither of these dreams came to pass.  During high school she worked for the United States attorney Edward Warin.  Her aspirations of becoming a teacher came unexpectedly in the form of coaching in 1984.  Coaching the Hawkettes girls’ basketball team for 31 years has been one of her greatest joys in life. 

For 32 years Sharon worked at First National Bank of Omaha until her early retirement in 2019.  Working in the She worked in the credit card division in various departments and ended her career as a Senior Fraud Analyst.   

Serving the community is one of her most significant contributions to this point in her life.  Coaching a few young ladies that have been able to play Division I basketball and even make it to the WNBA. The feeling of knowing I played a part in their success is like none other!  The joy these young ladies brought to Sharon is unmeasurable.  Her work also involves working with her Neighborhood Association, making meals for friends and family in need, volunteering at church, amateur photography, providing rides to doctor appointments for the elderly, offering financial assistance to college students and so forth. 

Sharon also enjoys personal time with her family and friends, who have always been very supportive of everything with which she is involved.  Some of her activities include: Lady’s Making a Difference Investment Club, bowling in 24 National Bowling Tournaments, volunteering in the First National Bank Reading program for elementary schools, Sunday School Teacher, EPIC for Girls Board Member and Burke High Class of 1980 Reunion Committee.  In 1999 Sharon received the first Outstanding Alumni Award given out to a Dana College student.  Other awards include: YMCA Coach of the Year, National Council of Negro Women Community Service Volunteer, and Honorary Membership into the Golden Key International Honor Society.