Wabash College has taken initial steps to establish The Jeremy Wright Memorial Fund to honor Sgt. Jeremy R. Wright ’96, who was killed in action Jan. 3 while on patrol in Afghanistan.
Wright, a Green Beret Communications Specialist with 2nd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Lewis, Wash., had joined the U.S. Army in April of 2002 but had been in Afghanistan less than two months.
Wright was the the most decorated distance runner in Wabash athletics history, and was inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame in 2002. Wright was a two-time All-American cross country runner, First Team Academic All- American, NCAA Great Lakes Regional champion in 1993 and Indiana Collegiate Athletic Conference cross country Most Valuable Runner in 1993 and 1995. He won a total of seven ICAC distance-running championships, including three in the 10,000 meters, two in cross country and two in the 5,000-meter run.
He was a summa cum laude graduate and chemistry major.
The Jeremy Wright Memorial Fund is not yet designated. "We've heard from so many of Jeremy's friends, former Wabash teammates, and members of the running community out West that we felt like we needed to get something established right way," said Jim Amidon, director of public affairs at Wabash.
"In a few months, we'll gather together with his teammates and family to determine how best to put the fund to use. We know that his Wabash teammates would like to see us establish a Wabash scholarship for Shelby County students in Jeremy's memory," said Amidon.
Wright, Roger Busch, and Scott Gall — all two-time All-Americans — ran together from 1992 through 1996 and were nicknamed the "The Three Amigos" by cross country coach Rob Johnson. During that time, Wabash finished fourth at the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships in 1994 and third in 1995.
Those wishing to contribute to The Jeremy Wright Memorial Fund may contact Wabash College in care of Advancement Office, Post Office Box 352, Crawfordsville, IN 47933. Requests for information or details concerning credit-card gifts may be directed to Mrs. Guyanna Spurway at (765) 361-6367.
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