University of San Francisco Athletics

Piner High boys’ soccer Coach Paul Nikol is an outspoken guy, someone who may open his mouth at times when others think he should keep it closed. But nobody is questioning Nikol’s decision to use his mouth at a most appropriate time recently when his quick actions saved the life of Santa Rosan theo Vanderheyden, 44, a former soccer star for USF, who plays on the Yahoose, the same men’s soccer team as Nikol.

During a practice session, Vanderheyden went into cardiac arrest and almost died. In fact, says Nikol, ”he died on me twice at the gym, then a few more times on his way to the hospital, but he was revived.” Nikol says the doctors later told him that were it not for CPR from Nikol and teammate Mayo Oceguera, Vanderheyden, whose son Ryder plays at Santa Rosa High, wouldn’t have made it.

The good news is that Vanderheyden, after some uncertain days, is getting better and is expected to recover. ”I was able to talk to him (on the phone) for the first time the other day and it was great to hear his voice,” says Nikol. ”He was still on a respirator but it looks good.” Nikol says that while he’s never looked at CPR classes as a waste of time, and he never realized just how important they can be. ”I wish I could tell as many people as possible what it means to know CPR,” says Nikol. Coach, I think you just did (PressDemocrat).