William U. Hoyle
William U. "Bill" Hoyle was one of the greatest contributors to youth sports in the history of Mercer County. Hoyle devoted his life to providing excellent basketball programs from youngsters in the Shenango Valley.
Before moving to Sharon in the early 1930s, he coached and managed baseball teams for 20 years in the Pittsburgh areas. He also served as deputy scout commissioner for Allegheny County.
When he came to Sharon, he was manager of the former Autenreith's and Boston stores and later became a salesmen at Bechdol's Sporting Goods Store in downtown Sharon.
He founded the Sharon Amateur Basketball Tournament - an event that years later became known as the W.U. Hoyle Junior Basketball Tournament - in 1937. They were conducted in the early years at three sites - F.H. Buhl Club, St. John's Episcopal Church and St. Joseph Church.
Under his expert guidance and caring for young people, the tournament developed into one of the best basketball tournaments in the United States. During its heyday many players who came here went on to become big-time college or professional standouts. Players such as Bob Lanier, Chet Walker, Simmy Hill, Jack Marin, Willie Somerset and many more performed in the event. For example, the 1979 tournament featured players from at least 14 states, with college coaches and professional-team scouts joining the spectators in the stands.
Hoyle was honored by Sharon Mayor Basil C. Scott and other Shenango Valley government leaders with a special "Bill Hoyle Day." Hoyle was presented a check for $500 to provide help to some youngster in college. Hoyle often gave money out of his own pocket to help out players who came to Sharon for the Hoyle tournament.
He was honored by many area agencies before his death at the age of 90 in 1981. He was named "Sharon's Friend of the Boy of 1956" by Sharon Optimist Club. Other awards included: life membership to American Legion Post 299, Sharon, in 1944; Distinguished Service Award in 1953 by Shenango Valley Junior Chamber of Commerce; Ten Commandments Award for service to youth by the Fraternal Order of Eagles; and "Outstanding Citizen Award" by Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce in 1971.
In 1956, he was named Pennsylvania commissioner for the National Basketball Congress.
With help from the Sharon Lions Club, the tournament continued for many years. Even when his eyesight had failed him in his later years, he was still a fixture at courtside before his death. Since the tournament's inception, thousands of area youngsters had a chance to participate. The tournament still exists as an underclassmen tournament, carrying his name.