Tragedy at Home, Dedication on the Pitch: East Mountain Soccer Coach Needs Community Support

SANDIA PARK, N.M. — While steering the East Mountain High School girls soccer team through a competitive season, head coach Rebel Lathrop is quietly shouldering a heavy family tragedy at home — and a community effort to help his household stay afloat is struggling to gain traction.

A GoFundMe campaign established to aid Lathrop and his family in the aftermath of a catastrophic Sept. 11 wreck has raised just $1,850 toward a modest $6,500 target, leaving the household far short of the support needed as expenses mount.

The crisis hit when Lathrop’s in-laws, Alonso “Louis” and Sandra Madero, both 61, were violently broadsided in Roswell by an alleged drunken driver who police say ran a red light at high speed. Sandra Madero was killed. Louis Madero was airlifted for emergency trauma care and survived, but sustained severe injuries that have left him requiring extensive daily care.

He has since been released into Lathrop’s home, where the first-year coach and his wife, Kimberly, have taken on around-the-clock caregiving duties. The responsibilities have severely hampered the household’s income, with his wife’s real estate work coming to an abrupt standstill.

Yet through the grief and sudden upheaval, Lathrop has refused to step away from his players. He has not missed a single match or practice, guiding the Lady Timberwolves to a 7-4-1 record.

“My wife and I are here for these young ladies, and that’s the best part,” Lathrop said. “I want them to understand: no matter what I have going on, I can always handle one more for them and help where I can. Haven’t missed any practice or games, to show these ladies I am here for them no matter what.”

Police arrested Devon Schinagel of Elephant Butte near the crash scene, charging him with homicide by vehicle, aggravated DWI, and leaving the scene of an accident.

While the legal case plays out hours away, the daily toll remains squarely on Lathrop and his wife’s shoulders in the East Mountains. What the coach fails to mention while focusing on his players and his father-in-law is his own physical battle: Lathrop is managing this grueling caretaking load while still recovering from major neck surgery.

With more than $4,600 still needed to reach the campaign goal, the online fundraiser organized by Erica Rodriguez remains open for community members looking to rally behind a coach who continues to show up for everyone else.

Please visit the GoFundMe website to make a donation by clicking the link https://www.gofundme.com/f/prayers-and-support-for-the-madero-family?attribution_id=sl:1bc5956a-7ba4-4726-ae38-d15437da312f&lang=en_US&ts=1789780391&utm_campaign=man_sharesheet_dash&utm_content=amp30-control&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link