ok i am new at this... first is it even possible?? are the both GSM or CDMA??

Not possible. They are both CDMA carriers.

Verizon doesn't allow Sprint devices on their network and Sprint returns the favor - no Verizon phones on their network.

Verizon opened their network up to CDMA devices not branded specifically for Verizon back in 2008.

Verizon Wireless To Introduce ‘Any Apps, Any Device’ Option For Customers In 2008

However, it's an absolute hassle to get them to even acknowledge they will. I spend an hour on the phone with a CSR and had to direct him to the press release on VZW's website stating they do. He put me on hold to come back and tell me that they could, in fact, allow non-Verizon branded devices on their network, but they could not gaurantee it will function properly.

All of that to say this - it can be done, but for sure not worth the hassle.

Press release or not, they routinely do not do it, nor does Sprint. You got lucky!

So has anyone actually gotten a BlackBerry that is not branded Verizon activated on the Verizon network?

So what your saying is that even if i got it unlocked, it wouldn't work well on the verizon network?

Unlocking is for GSM phones only.

ok thanks you guys have been of great help!

Yup, all CDMA devices are "unlocked" by default. It's just that neither carrier will allow activation of a device they didn't sell. Even if the same model is offered by both Verizon and Sprint, if the ESN is not in their database they'll just say no. The technology is certainly compatible, but cross-activation just won't happen due to policy. Heck, Verizon bought Alltel but still won't allow Alltel devices on the Verizon network yet.