Legendary track coach Dr. Joe Vigil at BHSU July 24, 2010

Black Hills State University will host legendary track coach Dr. Joe Vigil at the auditorium in Meier Hall on July 24 at 7 p.m. The evening will feature the championship characteristics of his former teams and athletes along with his coaching career.

Current Black Hills State Head Cross Country Coach Scott Walkinshaw is excited to hear what Vigil has to say.

“Everyone involved with athletics, from coaches to current athletes, will enjoy this once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Walkinshaw. “I have heard him speak on three different occasions and feel he is the ultimate motivator for any athlete or coach.”

Vigil spent 29 years at Adams State University where his teams won 19 national championships. He coached 425 All-Americans and 87 national champions. During Vigil’s tenure at Adams State, he coached the only men’s cross country team to ever have a perfect score and finish 1-5 at the national meet.

Along with his collegiate coaching, Vigil was a USA coach during two Olympic Games, four Pan American Games, two World University Games and seven World Cross Country Championships. Among his many honors, Vigil was inducted into 11 Halls of Fame and received 14 national coach of the year honors.

Vigil was one of the founders of USA Cross Country/Track & Field Coaching Education in 1980. He has served as the chairman for the program for nine years. He is the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award for Coaching Education and is a professor emeritus at Adams State College.

The event is co-sponsored by the Spearfish Chamber of Commerce. The cost of the event is $10 and tickets can be purchased at the door. For ticket questions, contact Scott Walkinshaw at (605) 642-6486.

Official Website: http://www.BHSU.edu/Athletics