UB’s Ed Wright Was College Hockey’s First Black Head Coach
2/5/2021 9:30:00 AM | General
As a collegiate hockey player, Ed Wright had a prominent career at Boston University scoring 29 goals and assisting on 33 others and even winning the team's Bennett McInnis Award in 1969 for displaying "the spirit that best typifies a Boston University hockey player." In 1970, he made history when he was hired as the head coach of the University at Buffalo hockey program.
A native of Chatham, Ontario, Wright was named head coach of the UB hockey program prior to the 1970-71 campaign, just its second season as a varsity sport. Upon accepting the job, not only did he become the school's first full-time professional hockey coach, he also became the first African-American head coach of an NCAA hockey program.
Wright would spend 12 seasons as the Bulls' head coach, compiling a career record of 138-155-7. He posted six winning seasons. Lauded for this knowledge of the game, Wright also served as a guest clinician at several NCAA, Canadian and NHL hockey camps, including the Buffalo Sabres, Philadelphia Flyers and Toronto Maple Leafs. He spent five seasons as a scout for the Anaheim Ducks.
Wright remained a fixture at UB following his 12-year coaching stint. He is credited with forming the university's recreation and intramural program in 1981 and remained with the department until his retirement in 2012.
Wright impacted a countless number of lives over his 40+ years at UB as a coach, teacher and administrator. In 2010, thanks to a generous gift from one of his players, Tunney Murchie and his family, the practice gym in Alumni Arena was renamed the Ed Wright Practice Facility in his honor.
Although now retired and living in Arizona, thanks to the support of the people he affected the most, when walking the halls of Alumni Arena, there is a constant reminder of the important role Wright played not only at UB, but also in the sport of hockey.
A native of Chatham, Ontario, Wright was named head coach of the UB hockey program prior to the 1970-71 campaign, just its second season as a varsity sport. Upon accepting the job, not only did he become the school's first full-time professional hockey coach, he also became the first African-American head coach of an NCAA hockey program.
Wright would spend 12 seasons as the Bulls' head coach, compiling a career record of 138-155-7. He posted six winning seasons. Lauded for this knowledge of the game, Wright also served as a guest clinician at several NCAA, Canadian and NHL hockey camps, including the Buffalo Sabres, Philadelphia Flyers and Toronto Maple Leafs. He spent five seasons as a scout for the Anaheim Ducks.
Wright remained a fixture at UB following his 12-year coaching stint. He is credited with forming the university's recreation and intramural program in 1981 and remained with the department until his retirement in 2012.
Wright impacted a countless number of lives over his 40+ years at UB as a coach, teacher and administrator. In 2010, thanks to a generous gift from one of his players, Tunney Murchie and his family, the practice gym in Alumni Arena was renamed the Ed Wright Practice Facility in his honor.
Although now retired and living in Arizona, thanks to the support of the people he affected the most, when walking the halls of Alumni Arena, there is a constant reminder of the important role Wright played not only at UB, but also in the sport of hockey.
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