Former Adams State Coach Revolutionized Training For Long Distance Runners

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Legendary distance running coach Dr. Joe Vigil died on Saturday at the age of 95. 

Vigil's many accolades include turning Adams State into a NCAA Division 2 distance running power and the program was his living laboratory from 1965 to 1993. He led Adams State to 19 national championships, including a men's team that scored a perfect 15 points at the 1992 meet. His program produced an astonishing 87 individual national champions and 425 All-Americans. 

But more than that, Vigil instructed other coaches for decades and thereby extended his reach throughout the country and around the world. 

"In the sports of cross country and track & field, Coach Vigil belongs on our version of Mount Rushmore," Adams State coach Damon Martin said in a university release. "He was an incredible motivator, a superior coach, one of the godfathers of coaching education in the United States, and a great mentor to so many of us around the world. He told me point blank on many occasions to be an impact person. I don't know if there will ever be a more impactful person in our sports and our community than Coach Vigil. He was the architect that created the Adams State dynasty, it has been my great honor to be next in line as he passed the baton."

A Colorado native, Vigil obtained a PhD in exercise physiology at the University of New Mexico. At Adams State, he helped invent the science behind modern distance training.

Vigil became one of the founders of the USATF (then, TAC/USA) Coach Education Program, according to coaching colleague Peter Thompson. He wrote the initial materials, specifically for running, for the various levels of the courses; he trained others as instructors; and he delivered education at every level from recreational to Olympian. 

After leaving Adams State, Vigil continued to coach elite post-collegiate runners, including 2004 Olympic marathon medalists Deena Kasor and Meb Keflezighi. 

He also coached Kastor and Pat Porter in cross country and both won eight national titles. Vigil was head coach of the 1997 United States Pan-American Games Team and in 1998, he was the long-distance running coach for the United States Olympics Team. Additionally, he was USA Team Coach at seven World Cross Country Championships.

In 2015,Vigil was the second recipient of USA Track & Field’s ‘Legend Coach Award’, which recognized his astonishing contributions and breadth of involvement in the sport.