A member of coach Dean Hayes famed "Grasshopper Gang" of the 1970s, Sheikh Faye earned several OVC and All-America honors as a Blue Raider long jumper. Recruited as a high jumper, a knee injury necessitated a move to Hayes' elite roster of long and triple jumpers.
Not only did the flamboyant Gambian earn All-Ohio Valley Conference honors in 1977 and 1978 as the best long jumper in the conference, he was also highly-acclaimed on the national stage, earning All-American long jump honors in 1976, 1977 and 1978.
Faye's outstanding performances led to his selection to participate in the 1972 and 1976 Olympics for his native country of Gambia. World politics, however, lead to Gambia's boycott before Faye could compete.
