Padilla was actively involved in promoting track and field in the state of Utah. In addition to being meet director of all BYU track and field and cross country meets, he was director of the BYU high school Invitational and the Utah UHSAA State Track and Field Championships. Under his leadership the presentation and execution of BYU track meets has risen to the level of some of the very best in the country. BYU was selected to host the 2006 NCAA West Region Championships and three High Performance Olympic Qualifier meets.