LODI, Calif. – St. Francis volleyball coach Alynn Wright has been selected for the 2014 class of the Sac-Joaquin Section Hall of Fame. She is among a 32-member group that represents the best and brightest athletes, coaches, administrators, officials and media members to grace a field within the Central Valley.

“I was completely honored and surprised,” said Wright of her Hall of Fame honor. “I would not have expected it. I am still in shock. It is a tremendous honor. I owe it to the kids here at school and the great coaches I have had over the years. When you have great student-athletes to work with, the job is easy. The support of the school at St. Francis has been amazing. I am blessed to be able to coach in a great environment.”

Wright will be inducted with six coaches at a banquet and ceremony scheduled for Sunday, August 24 at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento. Joining her for induction in the coaching ranks are Bob Amerman (Linden), Rochard Fox (Ponderosa), Rock Francis (Sonora), Bob Loureiro (Escalon) and Mark Loureiro (Escalon)

“It is a privilege because I get to work with very dedicated, talented, driven athletes,” said Wright, who will begin her 26th season at St. Francis later this month. “They want to be here. They want to succeed not only in the classroom but in the gym as well. It is fun to nurture that dedication to help them reach their goals. It is very rewarding.”

Wright is one of the most decorated coaches in California prep history and is coming off one the most successful back-to-back seasons in her career. She led the Troubadours to the CIF Division I state championship match in 2012 after leading the squad to Northern California, Sac-Joaquin Section Division I and Delta River League titles. Overall, the team recorded a 38-3 record and sent eight student-athletes on to play collegiate volleyball among nine seniors. In 2013, they reached the Nor Cal and Section Championship matches and won the Delta River League title.

She began her coaching career at her alma mater, Santa Clara, as a graduate assistant coach in 1982-83. She coached the girls varsity for three seasons at Archbishop Mitty High School from 1983-86 before taking over at St. Francis in 1989.

 “I was young with two kids,” said Wright of the time she started at St. Francis. “I am very grateful to Sister Catherine, who offered me the job and allowed me to have my children here at practice time. They would be in the gym and I would have to change a diaper here or there. It was good for the girls to see that I was coaching and that being a mom is important in the priority but if you are passionate about something you can figure out a way to continue doing it.”

Wright’s daughter, Tayrn, who grew up in the gym, will be on her staff this season as the Head JV Coach.

Wright says she does not have favorite players but favorite memories. One of her favorite memories is obviously the 2005 State Championship team.

“The state championship team was a tremendous group that loved playing the game and having a great time,” recalled Wright. “They loved their teammates. Individually they were not the most talented group I have had but collectively they played for each other. It was a magical experience.”

She coached four All-Americans during her career, including her own daughter, and tutored over 30 student-athletes who went on to play collegiate volleyball.

Wright has been named the League Coach of the Year 14 times in her career and the Sacramento Bee has selected her it’s Coach of the Year three times. She was honored as the National Women and Girls in Sports Coach of the year in 1993 and the CIF Sac-Joaquin Model Coach in 2005.

She celebrated her 25th season at St. Francis last fall. How much longer will she coach?

“The game was different and has changed tremendously,” said Wright. “I am constantly keeping up with the nuances. As along it is still fun and I am still learning, I will keep doing it. When it is no longer fun and it becomes a job, I will no longer become effective and I will need to get out. I have not hit that point yet.”

Wright is happy every day to be part of the St. Francis family.

“It is such a special place to be at being able to share my faith and teach the girls life skills,” said Wright. “It is not just about volleyball. My hope is that some of them have learned things along the way that have helped them in their faith, careers and family lives.”

The event starts at 5 p.m. and tickets are $85. For more information on the event, contact Section Director of Communications Will DeBoard at 209-334-5900, ext. 21.