University of Minnesota Athletics
Steve Plasencia - M Club Hall of Fame
Steve Plasencia
Men’s Track & Field, 1974-78
Men’s Cross Country, 1974-78
Cross Country and Track & Field Coach, 1996 – Present
HOF Class of 1994
Steve Plasencia is one of the most-decorated Golden Gophers runners of all time.
A three-time cross country and two-time track All-American during his 1974-78 career, the 1977 team captain was also a three-time cross country team MVP and four-time track team MVP.
He set Gopher records for the 5 mile, 6 mile and 10,000 meter events, and after graduation represented the U.S. in the 10,000 meters at the Olympic Games in 1988 in Seoul, South Korea, and 1992 in Barcelona, Spain. He nearly made a third Olympic run in 1996 but in trials finished fourth in the marathon and fifth in the 5,000 meters. He won the 1990 U.S. 10,000 meter championship, and represented the U.S. in four World Championships.
In 1996, Plasencia became the Gophers’ cross country head coach and track and field assistant coach. His cross country team advanced to the NCAA Championships 11 times in 13 seasons, finishing as high as eighth place. He was named head coach of the men’s track & field program in 2009, while continuing as cross country head coach.