Adams State University has lost an iconic member of its community. U.S. Hall of Fame running coach Joe I. Vigil, Ph.D., '53 '59, passed away on July 19, 2025, surrounded by loved ones.
When Coach Vigil first arrived on the scene of distance running, it wasn't uncommon for the athletes to wear cutoffs, dime store sneakers, and drink sodas during training breaks. Dr. Vigil's groundbreaking research on the physiology of running helped revolutionize the sport. His great start to international fame began at Adams State.
"When a legend passes away, their impact remains. Dr. Vigil's life work will live on in future generations of athletes, coaches and scholars," said President David Tandberg, Ph.D., "Like so many before me, Coach Vigil influenced my decision to attend Adams State. He helped spark my great story."
A native of Alamosa, Coach Vigil held legendary status as the former head of cross-country and track and field at Adams State. Dr. Vigil led the Adams State men's program from 1965-1993 and won a total of 19 national collegiate championships, including the 1992 NCAA Division II National Cross Country Championship with a perfect score of 15 points. In that span Dr. Vigil guided the program to 87 individual national championships to go along with 425 All-Americans. Coach Vigil not only succeeded at the collegiate level but also at the elite level. After his time with Adams State, he coached Team USA in two Olympic Games and seven World Cross Country Championships. In that span his athletes won 20 global medals.
A bronze sculpture of Dr. Vigil, Adams State emeritus professor of health, physical education, and recreation, marks the spot where the first U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials were held on the Adams State campus in 1968. Coach Vigil, and Adams State Cross Country and Track and Field Head Coach Damon Martin, organized a 50-year reunion in the summer of 2018 to commemorate the marathon trials and Adams State's role in hosting the country's greatest distance runners.
"In the sports of cross country and track & field, Coach Vigil belongs on our version of Mount Rushmore," Coach Martin said. "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. As we continued to have successes as a program, Coach would always encourage our teams, cheer us on, and sing our praises. He was humble, gracious, and remarkable in so many ways. Today, I'm not really thinking much about all of those things, I just know that I am going to miss my friend and our weekly phone calls."
Before women collegiate athletic teams, community 5Ks, and the sight of an afternoon jogger were common, Coach Vigil inspired Adams State female students and Alamosa community women to form running groups and meet personal fitness goals. He truly cared about the well-being of his student athletes. Dr Vigil and his wife, Caroline, often shared meals and words of wisdom, and provided comfort and encouragement when races didn't have the anticipated results.
"A first-generation college graduate, who didn't let his humble beginnings define him, Dr. Vigil truly believed in Adams State and followed the progress of our students," Dr. Tandberg said. "Outside of athletics, Coach Vigil was a dedicated scholar and teacher. He is a true example of how Adams State can provide a start to any great story."
Dr. Vigil's impact on the running committee is one that will stand the test of time. He was one of the four founding fathers of the United States of America Track and Field (USATF) Coaches Education Program. With his help in creating this program, Dr. Vigil helped present running clinics at the high school, collegiate, national, and international level. In all, he presented clinics in 27 countries around the world.
Throughout his prestigious career as both a coach and educator, Coach Vigil was named the National Coach of the Year 14 times, inducted into 12 different halls of fame, and was awarded the professor emeritus at Adams State. Prior to his time at Adams State, Dr. Vigil coached Alamosa High School to eight state championships in track and field. He is a member of the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame and NAIA Hall of Fame.
Coach Vigil earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from Adams State with post-graduate work at Louisiana State University and Toledo University. He received a master's from Colorado College, and Ph.D. from the University of New Mexico. Adams State honored Coach Vigil with the 1974 Outstanding Alumnus Award and the 2003 Billy Adams Award. Dr. Vigil was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Human Performance and Physical Education at the 2019 Spring Commencement Ceremony, where he also delivered the commencement address.
Not only in the world of competitive athletics but also through lectures, books, and trainings, Coach Vigil inspired generations to reach their full potential as they met personal and professional goals. In the words of the legendary coach, from the 50–Year Reunion of the Alamosa Olympic Marathon Trials: "If you have a passion for something, then you have a purpose for your existence. Everything I've done is because of Adams State. It prepared me for anything."
