“At the Prep people challenged me, set boundaries, and supported me at a time when I needed direction. I’m the first to admit that most of us never appreciate the true value of St. John’s for many years.”
Todd Wright ’88
T
he 2013 season marks Todd Wright’s 15th year as strength and conditioning coach for the men’s basketball team at University of Texas at Austin, and his 19th season working with legendary Longhorns head coach Rick Barnes. It has been a journey that began in Peabody and took Wright ’88 to Springfield, Chestnut Hill, Clemson, and now Austin. “My older brother Dana graduated from the Prep in 1983, and my parents fell in love with all that St. John’s had to offer,” recalls Todd. While the two brothers were very different, Todd vividly remembers the friendships Dana formed with his classmates and teammates. Todd went on to find the same kind of lasting friendships during his own days at the Prep. “George Delaney, Bill O’Brien, Barry Field were among the first guys I met during freshman football, and I’ve had an incredible bond with them ever since.” Those relationships – and the work of teachers and coaches like Brian Flatley ’62, Don Cragg, Jordan Adair and Fr. Tony Penna – were influential in Todd’s life. “At the Prep people challenged me, set boundaries, and supported me at a time when I needed direction. I’m the first to admit that most of us never appreciate the true value of St. John’s for many years.” After graduating from St. John’s in 1988, Todd went on Springfield College, where he played football and earned a degree in health and fitness. In 1993, he became a graduate assistant intern at Boston College under current New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin. He reconnected there with Prep teammates Mike Panos ’89, who was BC football captain, and Mike Previte ’89, who served as the Eagle mascot for BC home games. Todd fondly recalls “bunking” in Mike’s closet many nights. Todd also worked part time at a restaurant in Hampton Beach, New Hampshire. That job led to a turning point in his life. “My boss asked me if I had a career goal. I said I wanted to coach, but that it was a dead end. She challenged me to
Looking ahead to his 25th Prep reunion next May, Todd treasures his roots in Peabody. “I’m a Longhorn for life, but I’ll never forget how I was shaped by the people and the way of life in the Northeast.” follow my dream – and then she fired me so that I would!” She helped him write to coaches in Tennessee, Florida and South Carolina emphasizing his BC experience. Soon, he was offered a graduate assistant position with the Clemson football team, and his coaching career began in earnest. Todd met Barnes shortly after starting at Clemson. Barnes invited him to work as part-time strength coach for the basketball team, in addition to his football duties. He earned $11,000 and received two promises from Barnes: Todd could do anything it took to improve in his new profession and, they would work together to win a national championship. When Barnes moved to Texas in 1998, Todd joined him. Together, they have the longest active streak for qualifying for the NCAA postseason tournament, currently 15 years. Todd is looking forward to number 16 and achieving that elusive national championship. Off the court, Todd and his wife, Kate, have built a life with their three children in Texas. He took his love for fitness to a new level ten years ago, when he opened Train 4 the Game, a training center in downtown Austin. The “game” in the center’s name refers to the journey of life, according to Todd. He and his team have developed a unique system to help clients of all abilities train, enhance their performance, and restore pain free movement. Looking ahead to his 25th Prep reunion next May, Todd treasures his roots in Peabody. “I’m a Longhorn for life, but I’ll never forget how I was shaped by the people and the way of life in the Northeast.” Todd often wonders how different his life might have been if he had not been fired from his job back in 1993. “You just never know when someone’s going to help you make a decision that changes your life.”
ST. JO H N’S PR E P TO DAY
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