In 32 years as the Head Coach of the Men’s and Women’s Cross-Country and Track & Field teams at Glendale College, Eddie Lopez has continued the legacy of a championship tradition that has existed since the 1920’s.

Olympians, world champions and record holders at several levels have worn the cardinal and gold and represented the school as Vaqueros. Lopez and six other family members have been student-athletes at GCC, he from 1978-80 after prepping at Hollywood High School where he returned to coach after graduating from Cal State, L.A. in 1982. He took over the running program at his alma mater GCC in 1987 and in the 32 years since, he has led the Vaqs to unparalleled success in cross country and track & field and, under his guidance, his teams are considered among the best in the state year after year. In his 32 years as the Men’s Cross-Country coach, Lopez said the men have won 26 Western State Conference titles including three straight from 2017-19 as well as State Championships in 1995 and 1998. The Women’s Cross-Country teams have had tremendous success during his tenure, winning six State Championships including the 2019 title as well as 16 straight WSC titles. GCC Track & Field for the men and women have been equally successful during Lopez’s tenure, highlighted by multiple Conference titles for both squads as well as training several athletes who have won individual titles at the Conference, Southern California and State levels and becoming All-Americans in the process and transferring to four-year schools.