Bill Wright

William Hobart Wright, Jr.


Born:
August 29, 1923
Knoxville, TN

Died:
April 21, 2011
Knoxville, TN


Career
1939-40 Knoxville City High School - Tennessee (High School)
1940-41 Knoxville City High School - Tennessee (High School)
1941-42 University of Tennessee (College) Freshmen
1942-43 University of Tennessee (College)
1943-44 Duke University (College)
1946-47 University of Tennessee (College)
1947-48 Louisville Colonels (PBLA)

One of the better-known athletes to come out of Knoxville in the first half of the 20th century, Wright turned down offers to play baseball out of high school in order to go to the University of Tennessee. He entered the USMC after his sophomore year, and played at Duke University during his military training there. After serving his country, he returned to UT. Aside from playing pro baskbetball with the PBLA's Louisville franchise, he played minor league baseball for the St. Louis Browns' Class C team in Aberdeen. Leading the Northern League in RBI, he contracted tuberculosis which ended his athletic career. After recovering, he returned to UT to finish his bachelor's degree and earned a Master's. He accepted a teaching and coaching job at Knoxville West before becoming an academic advisor for athletes in the SEC while also coaching baseball at Tennessee.

He was married to Theresa.

Minor League Baseball Stats:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=wright012wil

Source:
Obituary

Stats:
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=wrighbi01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/bill-wright-2/