AHS Bears Classic Edition Chandler Reunion

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Chandler, Arizona

by Sue Blake Smith

June 29th, 2011

 

The latest of the reunions centered around legendary Coach John Colman, after whom the ASF football field is now named, was held at The San Marcos Resort in Chandler, Arizona the weekend of June 17.    A group of 20 or so Fighting Bears gathered to reminisce and pay tribute to the man who had coached football at the AHS, as it was then known, from 1967 to 1976. 

 

John Colman, known to all as “Coach”, was a larger-than-life presence with the gravelly voice and demeanor of a drill sergeant.   His former players affectionately recalled how quickly they snapped to attention when they saw either his baseball cap or his clipboard get slammed into the ground.   But they also recalled how deeply he cared about each player and how much he taught them not only about football, but about life.

 

As team quarterback Art Camacho (’72)  said, “Coach was more than a football coach to many of the guys on the team.  He was a father figure.”

 

 Jim Melhado (’73)  agreed,  “Coach, you always made time for us.   You made us a close-knit group, a disciplined team, a team not willing to accept defeat.  You gave us the thrill of winning.   You gave us a chance to be champions.   You made us Fighting Bears.”

 

In addition to toasting Coach, the group paid tribute to two recently deceased teammates, Tony Viele (’73) and Dan “Iron Man” Fitch (’71).   Both had been stars on the teams that eventually achieved the greatest victory of all:  the famous 30 – 14 win over Tepeyac in 1972. 

 

The lessons learned on the football field back in the late sixties and early seventies transformed a ragtag group of boys into the successful, impressive men they are today.    And they haven’t forgotten the coach who motivated and inspired them.   Thanks, Coach.    Go, Bears!