Pubdate: Wed, 19 Apr 2006
Source: El Defensor Chieftain (NM)
Copyright: 2006 El Defensor Chieftain
Contact: http://www.dchieftain.com/site/feedback.html
Website: http://www.dchieftain.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2520
Author: Jason W. Brooks, El Defensor Chieftain Reporter

FOOTBALL PLAYERS, COACHES SURPRISED BY ARREST

Ronald Comanche Described As Gregarious, Positive By His Peers

After Socorro High School teacher and coach Ronald Comanche was  
arrested last week on drug trafficking charges, students and coaches  
were asked about his nature as a person. Those who interacted with  
him directly gave positive reactions when given an opportunity by the  
Chieftain to comment on his character, and if there were any warning  
signs that illegal drugs might be something Comanche was or is  
involved with.

Many seemed surprised by Comanche's arrest, saying news of his  
apprehension on Tuesday, April 11, was the first time they had heard  
his name connected with drugs.

"It's kind of a shocker," said Socorro baseball coach Alan Edmondson.  
"(Drugs) are something we talk about at the beginning of the season,  
including how a career could end and how bad they are for your  
bodies. We try to steer them in the right direction."

Socorro's head football coach Ken Stevens, who worked closely with  
Comanche as the head coach had Comanche helping prepare the Warrior  
defense each week, said Wednesday was the first he heard of any  
negative information related to Comanche.

Stevens praised the assistant coach, who also was a boys track coach,  
for combining with defensive coordinator George Frederick to design a  
blitz package that was quite effective in a playoff game at Lovington.

Socorro athletic director Randy Valles has refused repeated  
opportunities to comment on Comanche or the assistant coach's  
situation within the athletic department. Assistant track coach Hanh  
Nguyen said Comanche didn't make the team trip to meet in Truth or  
Consequences the night he was arrested, and has only attended two  
meets this season.

Ironically, Wednesday was the day Mario Martinez was scheduled to  
appear to make the New Mexico Activities Association's "Victory With  
Honor" presentation to Socorro athletes. Martinez, an associate  
director of the NMAA, presented senior Scotty Crespin with a  
certificate for being nominated for a state sportsmanship award.

The Chieftain interviewed four student-athletes under the condition  
of anonymity, one representing each grade level at the high school.  
All four worked directly under Comanche's tutelage in at least one  
sport. The four were asked three questions:

* Did Comanche ever approach you and attempt to convince you to take  
any actions related to distributing, selling or transporting illegal  
drugs?

* Has Comanche's sense of humor ever mentioned drugs, or had anything  
to do with drug culture humor?

* Have you ever heard rumors, on or off campus, regarding the idea  
that Comanche might be involved in any way with illegal drugs?

All four students answered "no" to each question. All spoke of  
Comanche in a positive way, describing him as friendly, helpful and  
respectful. Apparently, Comanche left in late September to attend to  
family property damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, and seemed  
saddened when he spoke of that loss.

However, mostly Comanche is upbeat, not discussing negative issues  
such as drugs.

"He was all about the 'Supreme team' -- he was all about football,"  
said one student. "Never about drugs."
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