People gathered to honor the life and legacy of Coach Josh Wright in Duncan Falls at the Philo Football Stadium on July 2 with a candlelight vigil. Since Coach Wright left an impact through his involvement at two area High Schools, a second vigil was held in Dresden at Jack Anderson Stadium at Tri-Valley High School on July 9..
Coach Wright passed away suddenly at the age of 50. He was appointed the new head coach of the Tri-Valley Scotties Varsity Football team after Cameron West was hired as the Tri-Valley High School Principal. He brought almost 30 years of coaching experience to the program. He was the assistant coach for Tri-Valley (2004-2007) and Philo (2010-2023), and was a head coach at Berne Union in between that time. Additionally, he coached for Lakota West and Badin High Schools. He was also an English teacher at Tri-Valley.
“There are not enough words that can be said tonight to adequately describe Josh’s impact on all of us. The words we share about Josh here tonight, while they are inadequate, are the best way that we have to help us with the grief, the sadness, and the absence that we’re all trying to cope with,” Philo’s Coach L stated over the loudspeaker during the vigil on Philo’s field. “Our football team will wear a helmet sticker of a moose for the 2025 football season in honor of a guy who in every way exemplified and lived the true meaning of maximum effort and family.”
Former player Hunter Smith said, “I was one of the lucky ones to be able to be a player under Josh, be a colleague and coach with Josh, have him as a mentor, and have him as a friend. Coach Wright didn’t just teach football. He taught life. He showed us how to fight with heart, lead with love, live with a purpose, work hard, and have a sense of humor. If we want to honor him, let’s live like him. Encourage one another, work hard, never lose faith, have fun with your coworkers, and always, always don’t stop believing.”
