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."