Indiana University Athletics
Les Wright: Above and Beyond
12/19/2005 12:00:00 AM | Varsity Club
Jan. 2, 2005
Volunteers are vital to the success of any organization. As 2005 comes to a close, the Indiana University Varsity Club is thankful for its dedicated and generous donors who give of their time unselfishly to help raise money for the current and future success of Hoosier athletics.
Over the past several years, Varsity Club member Les Wright has given more than financial gifts to IU, he has given his time. Wright is currently the president of the Louisville/Southern Indiana Alumni Chapter. One of the more active alumni groups, Wright assists with the hosting of several IU Athletics functions such as Men's Basketball Tipoff Luncheons, tailgates, golf outings, bus trips and more.
The retired educator from Borden, Ind., graduated from Indiana University and has been one of IU Athletics most enthusiastic supporters ever since.
"I have been around athletics all of my life," Wright said. "Indiana University made it possible for me to be an educator and to be involved in the area of athletics and extra curricular activities. In my mind it is important to give back as much as I can."
Wright is a generous and loyal donor who has given more than just financial contributions to the Varsity Club, he has donated countless hours of his time in planning and executing fundraising and social events all over the state.
"Giving of my time and labor as a volunteer is something I enjoy doing," Wright said. "I believe that anyway I can help IU run a better program for our student-athletes is very important. It is also important to have successful programs so that other fans want to be involved and give to the program as well."
The Varsity Club, which supports all of IU Athletics, and the mission of the athletics department is what keeps Wright so dedicated to Indiana Athletics.
"IU tries to promote all our athletic programs to the fullest and not just the two revenue sports," Wright said. "The character of our coaches and that we work to graduate the student-athlete."
"I believe it is necessary for any successful and long-lived entity to have wide range support, not just financially, but those individuals away from campus as well that can work to keep interest up in all our programs," Wright said. "We can do that by providing opportunities for fans to gather together to hear comments from coaches and have opportunities to ask questions as well as just to enjoy good Hoosier fellowship."
