The legendary Coach Hoover John Wright, Sr., served as Prairie View A&M University’s Men’s Track & Field and Cross Country Coach, Associate Athletic Director, Head and Assistant Football Coach and Professor from 1961 until his death on March 7, 2003.
Born in Hebron, Maryland in 1928, Wright earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Maryland State (University of Maryland Easter Shore). He completed the Masters of Education in Physical Education and Biology at Penn State and Post-Graduate work at the University of Iowa and the University of North Texas.
Coach Wright’s coaching career began at Shorter College in North Little Rock, Arkansas and continued at Paul Quinn College in Waco, Texas where he served as Professor of Physical Education, Head Football Coach, Men’s and Women’s Basketball and Track Coach and was the Dean of Men (Shorter) and Department Head of Health and Physical Education, Athletic Director and Head Football Coach (Paul Quinn). As Athletic Director at Paul Quinn, he developed the program from a 2-sport program with varsity sports for women included.
In 1961, he was hired by Prairie View A&M University to assume duties as the Head Coach for Track and Field, Assistant Football Coach and Assistant Professor of Physical Education under the tutelage of Coach William “Billy” Nicks. During his tenure, he served in various capacities including Professor of Physical Education, Assistant Football Coach and Associate Athletic Director. He assisted Coach Nicks in the development of the 1963 – 1964 championship football teams and served as Head Football Coach for ten seasons.
Coach Wright is best known for his mentorship and achievements a track coach at PVAMU. He guided the program to two Men’s NAIA Indoor Track and Field titles, one NAIA Outdoor Track and Field title, five SWAC Track and Field Championships, one U.S. Track and Field Association National title and one Astrodome Federation National title. Coach Wright developed several international competitors such as Felix Johnson (800 meters), Evans White (800 meters) and Olympic Gold and Silver medalist, Fred Newhouse (1600 Meter Relay and 400 meters).
Coach Wright also served with distinction as the Assistant Coach of the USA Men’s Track and Field Team against Russia in 1971, the 1972 USA Olympic Team in Munich, Germany and as Head Coach for the USA Junior Track Team in the Triangular Meet with Cuba and Canada in 1987. He was selected as the First Assistant Men’s Coach for the 1975 USA Pan American Team, Assistant Coach and Assistant Manager of the USA Team for the World University Games in Bucharest, Romania in 1981.
At age 71, Coach Wright was seriously injured during a bus crash on the way to a track meet where four of his athletes were killed and five were seriously injured. Later that season, Wright led his team to put the tragedy behind them by defending their SWAC indoor track championship.
Coach Wright frequently refereed for the SWAC Indoor Track meets, Drake Relays, Texas Relays, NCAA Division I and II Outdoor Championship meets and was a standing member of the Permanent Game Committee for the SWAC Coaches and Official Association. Coach Wright conducted clinics at the University of North Texas, Texas Women’s University, Emporia State College, Scholastic Coach Clinic, NAIA Track Association and NCAA Division II Track Coach Association.
Coach Wright has received recognition on the international, national and state levels with countless distinguished coaching honors including being nominated twice as Coach of the Year in Track and Field SWAC, The Gulf Coast AAU, NAIA Track Association and NCAA Division II. His athletic professional affiliation included membership in the American Coaches Association, Track Coaches Association of America, State Football Official Association, State Football Official Association and the Athletic Congress Certified Track Official Association. Coach Wright was inducted into the NAIA Track Coaches Hall of Fame (1976), Drake Relays Coaches Hall of Fame (1976), PVAMU Sports Hall of Fame (1992), the SWAC Hall of Fame (1994) and the USA Track Coaches Hall of Fame (2005). The annual Prairie View A&M University Relays were renamed the Annual Hoover Wright – Barbara Jacket Prairie View Relays because of his legendary contribution to the sport.
Coach Wright’s athletes would say his greatest accomplishment was fulfilling Prairie View’s commitment of Producing Productive People. He touched the lives of literally thousands of young boys; helping mature them into proud young men with high moral character, respect for humanity and appreciation for dedication and hard work.
