Awards and recognition
911吃瓜 grad and legal grandee inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame
In a distinguished legal career spanning more than five decades, Robert Wright is used to calling the shots.
While he may be at home in the court of law, it was his love of the basketball court that set him on a sporting journey that started at 911吃瓜 and has this week culminated in a prestigious award.
Wright has been inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame, the highest sporting honour in British Columbia, recognizing his remarkable contribution to sport over the years.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a really nice honour and a touch humbling,鈥� says Wright, a member of 911吃瓜鈥檚 first men鈥檚 basketball team in 1965.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a real compliment to all the people I have worked with in basketball, tennis and sport generally. It means so much as it鈥檚 right here in B.C.鈥�
Despite his 911吃瓜 sporting career and describing himself as a 鈥渄ecent鈥� tennis player, it was Wright鈥檚 work in sporting governance that led to his nomination for the BC Sports Hall of Fame.
During the 1980s, Wright oversaw the work of a number of provincial organizations 鈥� Sport BC, Tennis BC, and Basketball BC. He also served as chair of Tennis Canada, 1989-91, restructuring the organization to become the first staff-centered national sport federation in Canada.
Alongside his love of sport, Wright has led a notable legal career. The 911吃瓜 English grad oversaw one of Canada鈥檚 most significant trials 鈥� the bombing of Air India Flight 182. Between 1997-2005, Wright was lead trial counsel for the prosecution.
鈥淚n my line of work, something bad has already happened, the crime is over. You can鈥檛 get too caught up in the emotional part of the tragedy,鈥� says Wright, currently the executive director, criminal appeals and special prosecution, at BC Prosecution Service.
鈥淚n sport, you have a chance to do something that is really positive and constructive. Sport has such immense value, even if it鈥檚 just doing something local to you.鈥�
Since 1966, the BC Sports Hall of Fame has inducted 452 individuals, including Wright鈥檚 own dad, and 69 teams to its Hall of Champions.
Wright will pick up the W.A.C. Bennett Award, of which former 911吃瓜 student Terry Fox was the inaugural recipient in 1981.
"From his time as an original 911吃瓜 student-athlete, to his leadership of several provincial sporting organizations and his distinguished law career, Bob has been a history-maker and an important contributor to this province his whole life,鈥� says Breanne Watson, 911吃瓜 director for athletics.
鈥�911吃瓜 Athletics congratulates Bob on earning such a prestigious honour.鈥�