Hall of Fame
Vic Godfrey was one of the early pioneers in the coaching ranks at UW-Parkside. Though his tutelage, several excelled not only on the national level, but on the world level.From 1972-1976, while the university and athletic department was in its infancy, Coach Vic produced a staggering 18 All-Americans in cross country and track and field. During that span, a trio of his athletes produced 12 national championships in various events.The Rangers placed in the top 10 in the nation each year as a team in indoor track and field. In 1973 and 1974, the team finished ninth in the country. The squad moved up to eighth in 1975. In 1976, the squad produced the highest finish by a UW-Parkside men’s track and field team in history, finishing third in the country. In outdoor track, his club finished in the top 20 in the nation each season, with its high of fifth in 1976. Vic coached 11 NAIA national track and field place scorers.
In cross country, the Runnin’ Rangers finished in the top 20 three times. He mentored 12 athletes in cross country and 12 more in track and field who earned NAIA All-District 14 honors.Vic coached an Olympian in Lucian Rosa along with Olympic trial qualifiers Jim Heiring and Mike DeWitt. He also coached Kim Merritt when she was the top U.S. marathoner and one of the premier female distance runners in the world.
