Bio

Dr. Sam Gomez played an instrumental role at North Adams State College as well as in the local community. With his passion for running, he founded and coached the first NASC cross country team, a team that is still growing and active at the College today.

In 1970, Dr. Gomez founded and chaired the philosophy department at North Adams State College and remained chairman until 1982. He organized the Faculty Association and served as its President in 1979. Dr. Gomez believed that the College and the greater community are closely tied together and embodied this belief through his community service and activism. He was elected to the North Adams School Committee in 1979 and served for 12 years. He was a member of the Executive Board of the Northern Berkshire Community Action Council, a member of the Executive Board of the Berkshire County Red Cross, and a long time member and past president of the Berkshire Hills Runners.

Dr. Gomez was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts and was one of 11 children. Both of his parents were immigrants who only spoke Portuguese. He worked his way through school and went on to earn his doctorate from the University of Connecticut. Gomez passed away in January 1998 and is survived by his wife Shirley Gomez; their daughter, Melita Tindall; and four sons, Samuel Gomez, Miguel Gomez, Juan Gomez, and Simon Gomez. This year MCLA will hold the 32nd Sam Gomez Classic, the annual 5K road race celebrates the life and legacy of Dr. Sam Gomez. The Sam Gomez road race attracts the best runners in the community and will be held tomorrow with a start time of 11:30 AM on Church Street