Joe Vigil Day proclaimed

ALAMOSA — Acknowledging the 50th anniversary of Alamosa’s hosting of the 1968 United States Olympic Marathon Trials — and Coach Joe Vigil’s efforts in bringing those trials to Alamosa — the Alamosa city council on Wednesday night proclaimed July 28 “Joe I. Vigil Day.”

Adams State University is hosting events during that day to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Olympic trials here. Events include “Alamosa’s 8K run with the Legends” and a 50th reunion banquet.

The proclamation approved Wednesday night and presented to ASU Director of Cross Country and Track and Field Damon Martin and ASU Athletic Director Larry Mortensen recognizes Coach Vigil “for his outstanding contributions to the university and the Alamosa community” and for putting Adams State and Alamosa on the world stage by bringing the first ever U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials to Alamosa and Adams State in 1968.

The proclamation acknowledges that Coach Vigil, and Coach Martin collectively have coached Adams State to an astounding 54 national championships over the past 50 years.

Martin said Vigil was not aware of the city’s proclamation. “It will be a big surprise for him,” he said.

He said the response to the 50th anniversary event has been outstanding, and many of the athletes would be returning to help celebrate it.

Councilman Charles Griego thanked Martin and Mortensen for taking the baton that Coach Vigil had passed on to them. “It takes a team to continue to make this happen,” he said.

“I am very proud to be part of Adams State,” added Mayor Pro Tem Liz Hensley who is also a professor at ASU. “I appreciate all you do.”

Caption: Alamosa city councilors proclaim Joe I. Vigil Day on Wednesday night. From left are City Councilors Jan Vigil and David Broyles, ASU Director of Cross Country and Track and Field Damon Martin, ASU Athletic Director Larry Mortensen, Mayor Pro Tem Liz Hensley and Councilman Charles Griego./Courier photo by Ruth Heide