William S. Van Brocklin

William S. Van Brocklin was born on July 28, 1928, in Franklin, PA to Charles and Pauline Shaner Van Brocklin. He passed away on Wednesday, October 29th, at his home in Poland. Bill Van Brocklin's life is a large part of the Poland Schools' story as written in Dr. R.L. Zorn's book, Triumph and Tradition. His life took an unusual path, going full circle in Poland as a teacher, head football coach, founding father and President of the Poland Education Association, President and Board of Education member, community member, and one of Poland's greatest fans. After graduating from Canfield High School in 1946, Coach Van Brocklin went on to Miami University, Oxford, OH. Miami was known as the "Cradle of Coaches" and was the training grounds for anyone who wanted to pursue a career in football. It was there that Bill, along side of Bo Schembechler, learned the skills needed to become a highly successful coach. Upon graduation from Miami in 1950, with a BS degree in Education, Bill began his teaching career at Goshen Local High School. He taught English, social studies, and physical education and coached baseball, basketball, and football. At Goshen, Bill met Myron Stallsmith, Poland's current athletic director and life long friend. Bill was instrumental in securing Myron a scholarship to Ohio University and a teaching job in Poland. In 1954, Poland Local Schools recruited Bill, and he took over the reins as head football coach for the next 14 seasons through 1967. Bill coached the Bulldogs to the Tri-County championships in 1960 and 1961. Poland had a 19 game unbeaten string spanning from 1960 to 1962, which still stands as the longest unbeaten streak in school history. Included in the winning streak was a 14-0 win over Steel Valley Conference champion, Boardman. Poland's 1961 squad finished 22nd in the final Associated Press Large School Rankings. Bill and the 1962 football team were recently honored at the opening of the 2007 football season. Coach Van Brocklin's teams played the traditional Poland Saturday afternoon football games at Baird Mitchell Field. In addition to his successes in Poland, Coach Van Brocklin was honored as head coach of the North All-Stars in the 1962 Ohio All-Star game. Bill coached three members of the charter class of Poland's Hall of Fame, and he was inducted by the All Sports Booster Club in 1990. The Canfield-Poland rivalry was his favorite game. This past weekend he sat through the heavy rains with his stepson, Skip, to watch Poland beat Canfield and clinch a play off spot in the state tournament. With tickets in his wallet, Bill was prepared to watch the Bulldogs in the first round of the playoffs this Saturday night against Granville. During his 29 years in Poland, he taught social studies, economics and physical education. He earned his Masters in Education from Westminister College. Bill Van Brocklin was chosen "Teacher of the Year" by his colleagues in 1982. Bill was an advocate of public education, and a legend among the hundreds of students whose lives crossed his path. Bill always led by example, an honest, kind-hearted, and gentle man who expected students to behave the same way. He worked diligently as a board member to create a vision for Poland in the 2000's. During his board tenure, he was especially proud of two levies that passed for repairs and expansions of the current high school. As a community member, he witnessed the building of the new Poland Seminary High School football field, the addition of lights to the field, the birth of night football in Poland, and finally this past August, he was thrilled to see the new all-weather turf field dedicated. After retiring in 1983, Bill could be found with family and friends at his cabin in the woods in Kennerdell, PA. In addition, much of his time was spent with his wife of twenty-three years, Agatha DiBacco (Galich). They met while both were teachers in the Poland Schools and shared a love of life and God. Bill was a member of the Poland United Methodist Church, and often attended Holy Family Church with Aggie. He was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels for many years, and had worked part time for the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home. Above all, Bill loved his family, step-daughter, Jennifer (Brian) Abercrombie of Pleasant Hills, PA., step-son, Louis "Skip" (Audrey) Galich of Hudson, OH, son, Kyle Van Brocklin of Rhode Island, brother Harry Van Brocklin of Poland, and sister in law, Sandra (Larry) DiBacco Tusinac of Poland. Additionally, Papa Bill loved his grandchildren and will be greatly missed by Siena Rose and Tirli Grace Abercrombie, and Samuel Robert Galich.....they were what brought him the greatest happiness in the past five years. Besides his parents, Bill was preceded in death by a brother, Phillip Van Brocklin of Arizona, and an infant son. The family wishes to acknowledge a special person in Bill's life, Angie Mass, his friend and caregiver. And finally, a forever thanks to the entire community of Poland who Bill always had in his heart and head, and who in return always made Bill feel like a very special person. There were private committal services on Friday, October 31st.

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