Running It

Edward “Coach Spud” Johnson reflects on three decades of leading the Vegas Stealth Youth Track Club.

Edward “Coach Spud” Johnson is widely known as the successful head coach of the renowned Vegas Stealth Youth Track Club — a position he held for close to 34 years, serving Black children from the Historic Westside community. 

The Vegas Stealth Youth Track Club was formed in 1992 with an objective to train community youth for top level track & field competitions around the United States. 

A Las Vegas native, Johnson was acclaimed at Clark High School as one of the state’s best runners. Upon his introduction to people like Jesse Graham at Doolittle Community Center, Johnson and a team of friends agreed to oversee establishment of the Youth Track Club — bringing together the finest Vegas athletes from the community, all collaborating to bring out the best in young people. 

“In the beginning of getting the Vegas Stealth Youth Track Club together we recruited children from the Doolittle Community Center,” said Johnson. “The track team was originally named The Doolittle Track Club — and positioned the club for funding to service many children who lived in the Historic Westside community. We also recruited children in collaboration with the Housing Authority from the surrounding affordable housing projects.” 

The Vegas Stealth Youth Track Club made it possible for hundreds of young people to compete in track competitions around the United States, and many received gold and silver medals in the Junior Olympics. 

According to Johnson, “Back when I was coaching there would be 30,000 to 50,000 children competing to make it to Junior Olympics, and only 5,000 qualify from around the United States. We were so proud to always have some of the children in the Vegas Stealth Youth Track Club win their position to compete in Junior Olympics. I have a whole box of photos of the children who were member of The Vegas Stealth Track Club and who ran in races around the United States.” 

Johnson smiles as he reflects on all the years he served as head coach for the Vegas Stealth Youth Track Club, and how many of the youth who also received scholarships that afforded them opportunities in higher education. 

“Well, I tell you I am so proud of many of the youth who participated in the track club, but I’m even prouder that many are living productive lives as adults right now,” he said. “The Vegas Stealth Youth Track Club is no longer, but the legacy lives on in those children who now know how to win on and off the track.”