Additional information
by Billy Mills (Foreword by), Pat Joseph Melgares (Author)
Dr. Joe I. Vigil rose from poverty to become America's preeminent running coach, creating a collegiate sports dynasty, helping to revive American distance running, and co-founding the sport's coaching education program.
Author Biography
Born in Alamosa, Colorado, Pat Melgares was raised on the south side of town just three blocks from where Joe Vigil grew up. Pat graduated from Alamosa High and Adams State College, and was a four-time All-American from 1985 -1989. Pat was also on four NAIA cross country championship teams and two The Athletics Congress (TAC) junior cross country championship teams. Pat studied journalism and began his career at the hometown Alamosa Valley Courier. He became public information officer at Adams State and is now a communications specialist and public information officer at Kansas State University.
Foreword author Billy Mills was the 1964 Olympic gold medalist in the 10,000m with one of the most stunning underdog performances in track and field history. An Oglala Sioux member and US Marine, Mills is co-founder of the nonprofit Running Strong for American Indian Youth and a well-known speaker and activist on Native American issues.
