Detroit, MI
March 27, 1972

Lorenzo Christopher Wright

Detroit, MI
March 27, 1972
Wayne State University Track & Field
Wayne State Track & Field (1945 – 1949)
Track and Field All American
1948 U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist - 4 x 100-meter relay
Wayne State Athletic Hall of Fame
Athletic Administrator - Detroit Public Schools

Lorenzo Christopher Wright

Wayne State Track & Field (1945 – 1949)
U.S. Olympic Track Athlete (1948)

Lorenzo Wright was born in Detroit, Michigan where he attended Miller High School and was a standout track athlete. After high school, Wright served eighteen months in the U.S. Army, then attended Wayne State University where he became an NCAA All-American in 1947 and 1948, placing second and third respectively in the long jump. He was an indoor champion in the 60-yard dash and the champion in the outdoor 100 and 220-yard dashes as well as the low hurdles and the long jump. Wright’s indoor and outdoor long jumps along with his performance in the 100 and 220-yard dash are still Wayne State records. Wright was a member of the 1948 U.S. Olympic gold medal winning 4 x 100-meter relay team and finished fourth in the long jump. After graduation, Wright went back to the Detroit Public schools and coached track and swimming at Miller, Eastern and Southwestern High Schools during the 1960’s. Lorenzo Wright was inducted into the inaugural class of the Wayne State Athletic Hall of Fame in 1976 and was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1973. He passed away on March 27, 1972 at 45 years of age.