“Doc” Wright was a community-minded citizen of Winslow

The Winslow Phantoms: (from left to right) J.E. Watson, Perry Wilson, Glenn Young, Doc Wright, Scott Freeman, Emil Nasser, “Ace” Kizer and Pat DiNino.

Legendary Winslow High football coach Emil Nasser remembers when Deputy Wright would give him rides to various events. Nasser did not own an automobile when he first came to Winslow. He noticed that Wright would often need to stop by a potentially dangerous dance or other such event when offering the coach a ride. Nasser decided that the deputy was taking advantage of his presence to have a formidable back-up when he checked up on such events.

Nasser played basketball with Wright on the Winslow Phantoms team that also included Perry Wilson, Pat DiNino, Scott Freeman, “Ace” Kizer, J.E. Watson and Glenn Young. He was interested in getting people into the school system that could help with the coaching and saw Wright as such a person.

Wright taught and coached junior high basketball, junior varsity football, junior varsity and varsity basketball and was athletic director and assistant principal at Winslow High School during his tenure in the system. He organized the tournament which became known as the Doc Wright Invitational. During his life-time, it was known simply as the Winslow Invitational.

“Doc” was deeply involved in student council and boys’ state during his time at Winslow High School. He also found time to become involved in many other worthy activities in the community.

Nasser remembers that Doc was one of a number of WHS personnel who poured the concrete for the curb at what is now Emil Nasser Stadium. Others involved in this event were Jim Curtis, Earl Benham, Buck Dugger and Ray Booth.

“Doc” was not the first “Doc Wright”. In fact, he was given that nickname because he had the same name as a beloved Winslow physician, Dr. Myron G. “Doc” Wright. In fact, when he was a child, the younger Wright was known as “Little Doc” Wright. The “Little” was dropped when he began teaching. Both Doc Wrights were the type of men of whom any community can be proud. Doc would be pleased to know that his memory has been honored all of these years every January when Winslow High School hosts the Doc Wright Invitational Wrestling Tournament.

Doc Wright died in the summer of 1972 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, during what was expected to be a rather routine gall bladder surgery. His passing was a shock and a great loss to Winslow High School and the community as a whole. Both are better places for his having passed this way.

(Note) Special thanks and appreciation goes to Emil Nasser, Erline Kerr and Earl Benham whose memories and contributions were especially helpful in the preparing of this article.

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