Hall of Honor: Standing ovation for Coach Z

Charles “Chuck” Zimmerly affectionately known as Coach Z was recognized by the City of Socorro last week and also at the state level where he was inducted into the 2026 New Mexico Track and Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Honor. The community has reacted with an overwhelming response. Here are some of the selected comments compiled on Coach Z.

Comments from City of Socorro Jan. 20 meeting

“We’re so grateful for your service. And I know, as the city councilor, you’re the best…you’ve always been there for the kids, and so that’s really important, and I think you just got to keep going. We’ll have you get another award here in five years. But again, thank you for your service. Thanks again. I never get tired of clapping for you.”

City of Socorro Mayor, Ravi Bhasker

“First of all, I’m just going to say Coach Z is not just like one of my mentors, but he’s probably one of my dearest friends I’ve ever had, for sure, and he knows how much I love him and how much time we spent together. I could tell you stories and stories... Coach Zimmerly with sincere gratitude for his many years of service, dedication, tireless commitment to the youth of Socorro, his invaluable impact has touched many generations of athletes, students and families in our community, from Mayor Bhasker, from this city council and all past city councils, past and present, and all the residents of the City of Socorro, we wanted to award you this plaque, and I don’t know if it does much justice, but you surely deserve it. Z you’ve always been a Hall of Famer forever.”

City Councilor, Damien Ocampo

“You inspired a younger generation to continue coaching...There’s money to be made, but there’s kids to coach, and the money doesn’t seem to be that important as a kid’s life. So you have done a tremendous job. And congratulations and thank you for inspiring the next generations of us to coaches in working with kids in the community. You’ve done a fantastic job. Well deserved congratulations.”

City Councilor, Joel Patridge

“You have been a leader of athletes, also your days in the classroom and as an administrator, you have done a great deal of leadership to the youth in Socorro, and I want to thank you. Chuck, it’s been an honor to call you a friend.”

City Councilor, Nick Flemming

“I want to thank you for all your great years, for everything you’ve done in the community, and I especially want to thank you for your service. You served during some of the toughest years in Vietnam as a serviceman there, and we owe you a great deal. God bless you, Mr. Zimmerman.”

City Councilor, Peter Romero

“I just wanted to say thank you so much for what you done for all of us and all of our children and all the kids in Socorro….You came to become a teacher here in Socorro, and you quit the enrichment of yourself to enrich all of us and your inspiration, your motivation, your quick wit, to get to all of the students, the ones that were the high achievers and the high motivators, to the students that needed a kick in the butt. You were there for them, and you gave us your ear. You listened to us, you engaged with us. ..It’s great to know you, great to learn from you, great to work with you, and great to see you here tonight, sir.”

City Councilor, Anton Salome

“He does all the little things for the kids…but all the little things that I think are corny or he recognizes that, and the kids respond to it, me included. A lot of what I do is because of Chuck. Thank you.”

City Councilor, Joe Gonzales

Emailed comments to the Chieftain:

“At Socorro High School in the 90s, everybody knew Chuck Zimmerly, and he knew everybody. In Z’s classes, we took a bust of John Wayne with us to the bathroom, got to stand in a circle and electrocute ourselves for fun, and all knew the answer to “Did you get a haircut, Z?” was “No, I got ‘em all cut!” Coach Z brought character to SHS, and he helped instill character in the students. As a freshman, I wasn’t sure about participating in high school sports, but Z had no doubts that I’d go out for track. I did, of course, and ended up with four successful years of high school track and a lifetime as a casual runner. His stories about Vietnam and growing up in his generation helped shape my understanding of the world. I think all of us who grew up under Z’s teaching and coaching were positively influenced by the values that Z brought to the forefront of every class, training session, or gab session: Loyalty, hard work, dedication. Using your head, moving on when you make mistakes. And, above all, not taking yourself too seriously.”

Meghan Healy

“I attended SHS from 1982-1986.Mr. Charles “Chuck” Zimmerly was known as “Mr. Z” to us students. He was our Class of ‘86 sponsor (all four years of high school), and never missed events. Always there to oversee, teach, mentor and guide us. As a consummate Geometry teacher he shared laughter and knowledge daily. He taught and coached multitudes of students with dedication, motivation, enthusiasm, drive, compassion, humor, and fellowship, that never wavered during his tenure. His service as a veteran, teacher, coach, and city council member is beyond appreciated. Congratulations Mr. Z!!! Well deserved!!”

Monica Padilla, Lakewood, CA

“On behalf of the Perez Family, we would like to congratulate Coach Z on such a wonderful accomplishment. I could not think of a coach that is more deserving than he is. He was never my teacher or coach, but he did coach my son in football. A few years later my girls would be on the sidelines with him as football managers. He has always been kind with them and very supportive. And while he was not my coach, it doesn’t mean he didn’t inspire me. He was always so grateful that I was involved with my kids and supportive of the football/track coaches. Every time he’d see me at events, he would give me a hug and thank me for being there. We love him and will always have great memories with him.”

Josefina Perez, Socorro

Selected Facebook comments of over 100 made:

Katana Garcia: Congratulations to Mr. Z on his award always a great teacher to everyone.

Dennis Walsh: I don’t know how many people have been inspired to coach by Coach Z and Damien Ocampo, but I’m one of them - thank you Coach Z!!!

Liz Taylor: Funniest and most fun teacher ever! He sure kept our attention. Chuck Zimmerly has taught and coached for 50 years! Talk about loving kids and his hometown. Congratulations Mr. Z, very well deserved

Hector Valles Rodriguez: Awesome Mr. Z!!! Nothing but respect and admiration for the best teacher, coach, adviser Socorro has ever had!! God bless Charles Zimmerly.

Robert Lopez: Welcome home my friend!!!!!!! Vietnam veterans never got welcomed home. So I say, welcome home my hero, the best teacher Soco has ever had and one of the best friends I’ve ever had.!!!!!

Danny Valenzuela: Congratulations Coach Z on this amazing achievement, being recognized by the City of Socorro and inducted into the 2026 New Mexico Track and Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame is a testament to your hard work and dedication!

Anna Mae Herrera: Congratulations Coach Z. Fantastic gentleman. Blessings from Roy and Anna Mae Herrera

Luciana Welch: That’s awesome and well-deserved! Congratulations to Coach Z!!!

Grace Gutierrez: Coach Zimmerly’s Hall of Fame status is well-deserved. Congratulations!

Loren Tafoya: Congratulations, Coach Z! You’re an amazing person, an excellent coach, and such an inspiration to all of us. The award is definitely deserved as you’ve poured your heart and soul into Socorro High School sports! Congrats again and many thanks to Mayor Bhasker, Damien Ocampo and the City of Socorro board members for recognizing the man, the myth, the legend (Coach Z). You’re the man, Coach Z. Standing ovation!

Carmen Marquez: Coach Z is someone all of us coaches aspire to be. What a great role model!

Rosie Garcia: Congratulations Mr. Z! What a great accomplishment and well deserved award! Proud of you from California!

Laurinda Greenwood-Wright: Congratulations Coach!!! Well deserved. You are not only an amazing coach but also an amazing teacher as well. Thanks for always caring.

Freddie Mata: Great job Charles Zimmerly ! What an amazing accomplishment. Thank you for the many years of guidance and so many more years of friendship. I’m proud to call you COACH.

Adonica Armijo: So deserving! Congratulations, Coach Z!

J Randy Perri Jennings: Mr Z is the absolute best!

Patricia Landavazo: Congratulations Coach Zimmerly on this well-deserved recognition.

Dennis Baca: Congratulations Mr. Z an honor well deserved.

Robert Lopez: The best teacher I ever had!!!!!!!! And then my great friend who cares about the people in Socorro!!!!!!

Bernadette Montoya Cheadle: Congratulations Mr. Z well deserved!!!

Nanny Rose Herrera: Congratulations to Coach Charles ‘Chuck’ Zimmerly on his Hall of Fame status!

Sandra Chavez: Congratulations Coach Z!

Daniel Chavez: Congratulations Chuck! Thank you for your dedication.

Missy Castillo Hillyard: Congratulations Mr. Z! Well deserved!

Noah D. Jaramillo: ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!!!!!!!!!

Jimmie Norris: Congrats!

Congratulations Coach Z!! Well deserved!!

Richard Baca: Good man.

William Brewster Bird: He coached my sister in the 1980s! Thank you Coach Z!

Christina Carnagey: Thank you Mr. Z. Congratulations!!!

Susann Graham Mikkelson: Awesome!!

Angel Mata Blackbear: Amazing man, awesome coach!!! Congrats Coach Z!!