Ernie Wright

Remembering teammates who have passed on.
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Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 9:53 am
PostPosted: Tue Sep 07, 2010 6:05 pm
Who was Ernie Wright




Ernie’s Vision: Golf is the hook, education is the payoff.

During high school, Ernie earned money as a caddy at an all-white country club in Ohio. He was allowed to play golf late in the day after the members were off the course.

In early 1994, a couple of gentlemen approached Ernie on the Stardust Golf Course in Mission Valley about starting a caddy program for inner-city black kids. Although Ernie was appreciative for his caddying opportunity, he wanted to teach disadvantaged kids some of the life lessons he learned from golf, and to motivate them to excel in school.

Ernie often spoke of learning how to cheat playing football; in contrast, he considered golf a sport that could help kids build character, and could propel them toward a good education and community service. He would often say, “There’s no such thing as a bad kid, just a kid that makes wrong decisions.”

By June 1994, these men met with then City Councilmember Ron Roberts, and formed a 501(c)3 organization to take over the lease of Colina Park Golf Course.

Ernie could persuade almost everyone he met to support his vision. City Heights police officers were so excited about the prospect of reducing the high crime rate in Colina Park that they volunteered to help clear debris and shrubbery from the unkempt golf course. Instructional programming coordination with the San Diego Unified School District began the following year.

As the program grew, the Board of Directors and staff knew the kids needed educational assistance in an indoor environment, so in 2000 Ernie enlisted the help of the Building Industry Association. The BIA’s Cares for Kids program built a 7,000 -square-foot learning center, Shortly thereafter, so many kids were enjoying the course and succeeding at golf, that the board decided to renovate the course.

Ernie always listened to the kids, and while he made them accountable to him, he also ensured that we were delivering programming that would challenge and benefit the underserved kids of City Heights.

Even before the course renovation was completed in 2003, Ernie had moved on to his next dream of opening other facilities elsewhere in San Diego County. He especially wanted to support kids in Oceanside, South Bay, and East County.

Even as he was battling terminal cancer, Ernie participated with our Board of Directors and staff in creating a three-year strategic plan which included a leadership succession plan.

Ernie left Pro Kids in a very strong position, and his vision continues to drive the organization.





Ernie Wright has been recognized as one of San Diego’s most charitable role-models.

While Ernie supported numerous nonprofits, he is most recognized for creating Pro Kids Golf Academy, Inc. Some of Ernie’s other community affiliations included, trustee, San Diego Museum of Art, committee member, Holiday Bowl, TEC - International Organization of CEO's, National Football League Alumni Association, and National Football League Retired Player Association.

Ernie’s community service earned recognition in a variety of ways:

1999-- inaugural recipient of the George H.W. Bush National Award for Volunteerism, presented by Shell Oil
2007--the San Diego Hall of Champions Sports Museum awarded the inaugural Ernest H. Wright, Sr. Humanitarian Award to Ernie. The award is given annually to a San Diego professional athlete who gives back to the community in a significant way.
May 15, 2006--received the inaugural The Measure of a Man award from the San Diego Martin Luther King, Jr. Foundation
November 6, 1999--received a County of San Diego Proclamation in recognition of his many achievements and declared the day Ernest H. Wright, Sr. Day
June 29, 1999 - received from the Office of the Mayor, City of San Diego's Special Commendation in recognition of his outstanding dedication to inspiring young people and children
April 6, 1999 - received award from The Superior Court of the State of California for his distinguished and dedicated service to the youth of San Diego County
Born in Toledo, Ohio, Ernie was a High School All-American and Ohio State-First Team All Big Ten. After graduation, Wright played in the American Football League for the Los Angeles Chargers, San Diego Chargers, and Cincinnati Bengals for 13 seasons from 1960 to 1972. He was named to the AFL All-Star Team in 1961, 1963, and 1965.

Following Ernie’s playing career, he established E.H. Wright and Associates as a pro sports agency. In 1987, he founded the Pacific Furlough Facility, a community based facility that assists offenders with reintegration into society. In 1993, he started Correctional Alternatives Inc., which allows offenders to maintain their jobs and support their family while serving time in custody, and in 1995 he founded EHW Management Group, a private correction management company.

Although Ernie passed away on March 20, 2007 of transitional cell carcinoma, his spirit lives on in each of the Pro Kids members. A life-size bronze bust of Ernie was installed on the Colina Park Golf Course on August 29, 2009.

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