The family of Joe I. Vigil, Ph.D., and Adams State University will host a Celebration of Life on September 12, 2026, to honor the U.S. Hall of Fame running coach, who passed away on July 19, 2025. A reception begins at 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, in the Adams State Plachy Hall Field House, the memorial service will follow at 4 p.m.
The memorial will include the 33rd Annual Joe I. Vigil Cross Country Meet, that morning.
A native of Alamosa, Coach Vigil, Adams State class of ’53, ’59, 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.
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.
As they become available, details and information will be updated at asugrizzlies.com.
