Joe Vigil

Born in Antonito, Colorado on November 25, 1929, Vigil moved to Alamosa, Colorado, where he attended high school. He was raised by his mother and was an active boy scout and football player. He went on to earn his Master of Arts in education at Adams State in 1959. He then obtained a Master of Science in chemistry from Colorado College in 1964 before completing his doctorate in exercise physiology at the University of New Mexico in 1972. == Coaching career ==

Vigil started his coaching career at his old high school, Alamosa High School, where he also taught for 12 years before becoming a coach at Adams State. During the buildup to the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, Vigil served on a committee to organize the first U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in Alamosa, which has a similar altitude to Mexico City. He had worked with Leonard "Buddy" Edelen, the American record holder in the marathon at the time, to convince the American Athletics Union to host the trials in Alamosa. In 1997, Vigil was head coach of the United States Pan-American Games Team. ==Personal life and death==

Vigil was married twice, and had two daughters from his first marriage, which ended in divorce. He later married Caroline Winfield, and was married for 47 years at the time of his death. == Achievements and accolades ==

Vigil has a statue erected in his honor at Adams State University where he was granted the title of Professor Emeritus in 1986. In 1991, Vigil was elected to the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. This follows on from his achievement of being National Coach of the year fourteen times. 17 athletes who were coached by Vigil have set national records, including Olympian Deena Kastor. He coached over 20 Olympians throughout his career. == References ==