Chasing Excellence: The Remarkable Life and Inspiring Vigilosophy of Coach Joe I. Vigil by Pat Melgares
Thanks to Rebekah Epstein of PR by the Book, I am giving away one print copy of ‘Chasing Excellence’ by Pat Melgares. Just in time for the Olympics!
Description Chasing Excellence by Pat Melgares
Dr. Joe I. Vigil—known simply as “Coach” to virtually everybody he has ever met—rose from poverty to become a towering figure in the running world. Coach has won 19 national championships and coached 425 All-Americans, 22 Olympians…and an army of “Vigilantes” who seek to emulate his unique blend of compassion, competitive spirit, and commitment to others.
In this long-overdue biography about America’s preeminent distance-running coach, author and Vigilante Pat Melgares shares Coach Vigil’s tale not just through the consummate storyteller’s own words but also through those of more than 50 family members, friends, former runners, and foes who have been shaped by his presence over a lifetime.
Chasing Excellence brought home the gold in a national competition for books published independently in 2020, winning the Biography category in the Independent Book Publishers Association’s annual contest.
Coach Vigil is driven by a persistent desire to learn, a deep faith in people, and an unwavering loyalty to his hometown of Alamosa, Colorado. His life is an American dream—a must-read for anyone who loves an underdog or seeks to understand the timeless qualities that forge a leader. “Chasing Excellence” has been Coach Vigil’s mantra for decades, for himself and those he teaches. At age 90, he’s as relentless as ever in that quest.
Praise Chasing Excellence by Pat Melgares
“He’s the coach of every distance runner of my generation. We all have our own coaches, but Coach Vigil is the one we all share.”-Abdi Abdirahman, four-time U.S. Olympian in 10,000m and marathon, 2020 Olympic marathon qualifier
“His new biography is filled with memories from his 90 years of life so far, 65 years of them as a coach, in his words as well as some of the many individuals he’s touched along the way…His words are often the last ones I read before big races, and the first ones that come to mind when things start to get tough.”-Becky Wade, Runner’s World magazine
“What I admire most about Coach Vigil is the compassion he has to help others with the knowledge he has gathered over 50 years of coaching. Coach’s life story being brought to life in this book will inspire others to follow in his footsteps.”-Brenda Martinez, Olympian, 2013 World Championships 800m silver medalist
About Pat Melgares
Pat Melgares was born in Alamosa, Colorado, in 1967 and was raised on the south side of town just four blocks from where Joe I. Vigil grew up. Like Vigil, Pat graduated from Alamosa High School and Adams State College, and was a four-time All-American in cross country and track and field while running for Vigil from 1985 to 1989. Pat was also a member of four NAIA cross country championship teams and two The Athletics Congress (TAC) junior cross country championship teams.
At Adams State, Pat studied journalism and began his career as sports editor of the hometown Valley Courier. He advanced to editor of that newspaper before landing the job as public information officer at Adams State in 1994.
Since 1998, he has been a communications specialist and public information officer at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas.
Website: https://melgares.wixsite.com/chasingexcellence
Buy Chasing Excellence by Pat Melgares
Giveaway Chasing Excellence by Pat Melgares
This giveaway is open to the U.S. only and ends on August 6, 2021 midnight pacific time. Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only.
Just in time for the Olymoics
This would be a gift for my son to enjoy. Thanks.
Rising from poverty to achieve such a great coaching record is pretty impressive!
Perfect timing since the Olympics start today. I’d love to have a copy. Thanks
At 90, I think his biography IS long overdue!
I love to read about real people who who came from poverty and made it.
Seems interesting