Wilbur Wayne “Willie” Wright


Year Inducted: 1991
Nominated By: Sam Corsentino
Sports Competed In: N/A
Athlete, Coach or Contributor: Contributor

Wayne Wright

Education:
● Attended 12 grade schools in five different states and two High Schools
● Graduated from Pueblo Centennial H.S., on May 28, 1931 (he weighed 120 lbs.)
● Attended School District No. 20's "Opportunity Night School" at Pueblo Central H.S. in 1936.

Family History:
● Father drafted into infantry 1918, got TB and never returned home and Wright's mother was an Army Nurse and sent to Ft. Riley, Kansas.
● In 1925 the family was moving from Topeka, KS to Oregon and the car broke down in Pueblo and they stayed.
● For two years (1925-26) he caddied at the Pueblo Country Club and sold the Pueblo Chieftain (papers) at 6th & Main.
● Later received two paper routes and got six cents per week per paper (papers cost 15 cents a week).
● In 1926, volunteered in Boys Department a YMCA (for his membership) in charge of games, swimming pool and locker rooms.
● Three years later (1929), started teaching eight and nine year old boys swimming and swam for the older boys team.
● The Stock Market Crash of 1929 took his savings of $75.00 and so he hitch-hiked to Missouri and worked on a farm and went to high school for two months.
● For the next 18 years (1930-48), he lived at the YMCA in room 401 until he got married.

Athletics:
Basketball:
● Was a lightweight participant at Hinsdale Elementary for two years (1926-27, also played softball too).
● His team played against college teams from Lamar to Trinidad to Alamosa in the AAU tournaments.
Played for the following teams:
● Bear Axel (1939-50).
● Fountain Sand & Gravel (1950-51).
● Ladd Lumber (1951-52).
● Also played against pro teams for fundraisers for Elks charities:
● The All-American Red Heads girls team (met seven times).
● Harlem Globe Trotters with Marques Haynes, Al Pullins and "Goose" Tatum.
● New York Broadway Clowns.
Baseball:
● Played for several area baseball squads:
● American Legion (1928-29).
● Robinson-Gardner (second base).
The Pueblo Chieftain (second base).
● Boone Merchants (1946-48).
● Eagles Lodge for a season (1949) before he sprained his knee and eventually ending his playing days.
Swimming:
Participant on the Y Swim Team.

Contributor:
● Volunteer Official Timer at Pueblo Catholic High (1947-48).
● Junior Board of Directors - City YMCA.
● Charter Member of the Centennial Booster Club - 1955.
● Charter Member College Booster Club 1957-1991 (present): Pueblo Junior College; Southern Colorado State College; University of Southern Colorado.
● Charter Member of the “Y" Men’s Club of Pueblo, Colorado in 1948.
● Contributor to Runyon Field and Boy’s Baseball Leagues.

Occupation:
Worked Bear Axel Wheel Service and taught swimming at the YMCA.

Personal:
Lived in Pueblo, CO with his wife, Mary V. Bolton...Passed away in October 8, 1994.


GPSA "W" By The Numbers

LEGEND: p = awarded posthumously; ^= attended first meeting; * = deceased;+ = charter member (placed after year inducted)

 1

Administrator/Contributor
George Williams, Sr. (1980)

Athlete/Contributor
Lou Henry Willschau (2018*p)

Athlete/Coach
John Wristen (2015)

Athlete/Coach/Contrbutor
Bruce Ernest Watkins (1985*)

Attended H.S. Outside Colorado
Ethel Wentworth (1974*)
Tama H.S., Tama, IA

Attended Pueblo Central H.S.
Rodney A. Wallace (1978*)

Attended Pueblo County H.S.
Nikole Marie Whitaker (2016)

Attended Pueblo South H.S.
John Wristen (2015)

Big Game Hunter
Mahlon Thatcher White (1981)

Car Racing
Lou Henry Willschau (2018*p)

Contributor
Wilbur Wayne Wright (1991*)

Honorees Awarded Posthumously
Lou Henry Willschau (2018*p)

Rifle
Ethel Wentworth (1974*)

Swimming
Travis J. Wolther (2014)

Won a National Championship
John Wristen (2015)

Wrestling
Rick Wayne Willits (2005)

2
Attended H.S. Inside Colorado
Larry G. Wagner (2000)
Fort Morgan H.S., Fort Morgan, CO
George Williams, Sr. (1980)
Fountain H.S., Fountain, CO

Attended Pueblo East H.S.
Rick Wayne Willits (2005)
Thomas Michael Waters (2004)

Softball
Nikole Marie Whitaker (2016)
Thomas Michael Waters (2004)

Track
Thomas Michael Waters (2004)
Bruce Ernest Watkins (1985*)

 

3
Attended Pueblo Centennial H.S.
Travis J. Wolther (2014)
Bruce Ernest Watkins (1985*)
Mahlon Thatcher White (1981)

Coach
Thomas Michael Waters (2004)
Larry G. Wagner (2000)
Ethel Wentworth (1974*)

 

 

 

4
Athlete
Nikole Marie Whitaker (2016)
Travis J. Wolther (2014)
Rick Wayne Willits (2005)
Rodney A. Wallace (1978*)

Football
John Wristen (2015)
Thomas Michael Waters (2004)
Bruce Ernest Watkins (1985*)
Rodney A. Wallace (1978*)

 

5
Honorees Deceased
Lou Henry Willschau (2018*p)
Wilbur Wayne Wright (1991*)
Bruce Ernest Watkins (1985*)
Rodney A. Wallace (1978*)
Ethel Wentworth (1974*)

 

13
Honorees in "W" Section

 

REMEMBERING OUR FALLEN GPSA INDUCTEES

The Greater Pueblo Sports Association (GPSA) has announced a list of honorees that have passed since the 2023 induction ceremony on Nov. 15.

 

 

Daniel RosalesDaniel
Rosales

12/13/2023
Class of 2002

Everett C. ThalhamerEverett C.
Thalhamer

12/23/2023
Class of 2014

Bob GrahamBobby Max
Graham

02/26/2024
Class of 1990