PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland State track & field and cross country programs enter their Blue Period as Joseph Blue has been named head coach of both programs, Athletic Director Matt Billings announced Monday.
 
Blue brings a pedigree of developing a winning culture at all his previous stops. As an assistant coach in charge of throwing events at Louisiana Tech and CSUN, Blue coached athletes to a pair of conference titles and six podium finishers over the past three seasons. He also coached his athletes to seven All-Conference USA honors at Louisiana Tech, as well as 15 Big West All-Conference honorees in his two years at CSUN.
 
"We're excited to open a new era for our track & field and cross country programs under Coach Blue. He's a culture builder who we trust will build a supportive and competitive environment where our athletes can thrive both in and out of competition. We're confident Coach Blue will lead a balanced program that will rise steadily within the Big Sky standings," Billings said of Blue.
 
At Louisiana Tech, Blue coached Donald Lamp to a conference title in the hammer at the Conference USA Outdoor Championships this past May. Lamp won the title while setting the school record in the hammer for a third time during the season. Blue also led Zachary Drake to a bronze medal in the javelin, while Lamp, Drake, Kaitlyn Washington and Maria Ferreiro Pena all qualified for the NCAA East First Round across four different events.
 
At CSUN, Blue led his athletes to a conference title and a runner-up finish at the 2024 Big West Outdoor Championships. Emily Hutchinson won the title in the women's shot put, while Katherine Shipp-Davis finished as runner-up in the women's discus.
 
Outside of his work with his own event groups, Blue took the lead in developing the team culture at Louisiana Tech and CSUN. With a background in college counseling and student affairs, Blue led team-building initiatives and other group-bonding activities across all event groups at both schools.
 
Additionally, Blue led the strategic recruiting efforts at CSUN while assisting in academic support at both Louisiana Tech and CSUN.
 
"I'm incredibly honored and excited to lead Portland State track & field and cross country into a new era of excellence," Blue said of his hire. "My vision is to build a competitive, resilient, and unified program – one that champions both personal growth and team success on and off the track.
 
"I'm grateful to Athletic Director Matt Billings and the hiring committee for believing in my leadership and entrusting me with this opportunity. The future is bright for Viking track & field, and I can't wait to get to work."
 
Outside of his stops at Louisiana Tech and CSUN, Blue coached four years at Cal Poly Pomona at the NCAA Division II level. Blue led three athletes to NCAA Division II All-American honors, while his athletes earned 38 all-conference honors.
 
Blue also served as an assistant coach while pursuing his master's degree in college counseling and student affairs at Southern Arkansas from 2016-18. While expanding his event groups to include the high jump and multis in addition to throws, Blue coached six athletes to conference titles.
 
Blue takes over Viking track & field and cross country programs looking to rise within the Big Sky rankings. If they do, then the programs' Blue Period will be anything but blue.