University of Minnesota Athletics
Mike Wright - M Club Hall of Fame
Mike WrightLifetime Achievement Award
HOF Class of 1992
Minneapolis-born and -raised Mike Wright attended St. Thomas Academy and the University of Minnesota, where he played football for the Golden Gophers. The speedy tackle was captain of the 1959 team and an All-American.
To finance his law school education, Wright decided to play professional football. Drafted by the NFL Green Bay Packers and the AFL Oakland Raiders, he opted instead to play for the Winnepeg Blue Bombers in the Canadian Football League, under fellow-former-Gopher Bud Grant.
In his two pro seasons Wright shared a Grey Cup championship with his teammates, and earned All-Star honors.
Retiring from football, Wright completed law school, graduating with honors, and joined the Minneapolis firm Dorsey & Whitney. He returned to that firm after Army service, and then took a post at Supervalu, Inc., where he rose to chairman of the board.
A member of several corporate boards, Wright was also named Trustee Emeritus of the University of Minnesota Foundation, and to the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota Law School Board of Visitors.