Van Vleck-Boling football game canceled

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Dear Van Vleck ISD Parents, Students, and Community,

One of our Van Vleck ISD coaches experienced a traumatic accident this afternoon after school. While it is not appropriate at this time to share his current condition, we ask that you pray for him, his family, and our VVISD students and staff.

In light of this, the VVHS Varsity Football Game against Boling High School has been canceled for tonight, Friday, August 30. There will be no activities hosted tonight at Van Vleck ISD.

We are deeply sorry for any inconvenience this may cause, and hope you will join us in prayer.

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Sources say the coach passed away Friday afternoon because of a heart attack or stroke. Prayers go out to his family and the Van Vleck ISD

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Prayers said and sent!!!

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From the Bay City Tribune

The Van Vleck community and football program is mourning the loss of one of its football coaches.

Paul Bienen, 52, died Friday, Aug. 30 after suffering a massive heart attack at the school.

“We released the kids early after one of our coaches collapsed at the school,” said a shaken Van Vleck Superintendent John O’Brien.

The news of the coach’s passing ripped through the Van Vleck community and the surrounding area as Bienen coached in both Van Vleck and Bay City during his career and also included a stint in Oklahoma as well.

O’Brien and Van Vleck issued the following statement after the announcement was made to cancel Friday’s game with Boling.

“Friday was definitely very traumatic for us all,” O’Brien said. “It is always tough when you lose a colleague and a friend and it is even more traumatic when it is unexpected.”

O’Brien said Bienen was working out in the weight room with a fellow coach when he collapsed. The district’s crisis team was put into action to perform CPR on Bienen.

“I was overly impressed and thankful for our crisis team that performed CPR on Paul and at least gave him a fighting chance,” O’Brien said.

O’Brien said counseling is being offered to both staff and students at the high school.

On Sunday evening, the Van Vleck football team, coaches and parents gathered for a private tribute to Bienen at Van Vleck High School after a parent, whom is also a preacher, offered to lead a service for the coach.

“This allowed for a lot of counseling for the kids,” O’Brien said.

O’Brien said a number of the kids from the team had thought of quitting football after Bienen’s passing but after counseling are back on the practice field working for the program.

“It has been very healthy to meet with everyone as we learned this lesson in life that we are learning together,” O’Brien said.

O’Brien said Van Vleck returned to the practice field Monday and will go ahead with plans of playing this Saturday when the Leopards travel to take on Houston Wheatley.

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Prayers and condolences for the family and friends along with the School and community.