PIERRE — Aiden Van Balen is still on the minds of the Pierre Governors.

Van Balen, 16, died on June 4 in an automobile accident and the community of 14,000 people was rocked by his sudden death. 

“It was a long summer,” Pierre football coach Steve Steele said. “It happened right in the beginning of the summer in June. It was a tough summer for our community, but definitely for a lot of our team.”

Shortly after his death, a GoFundMe page was created to ease the financial burden of Van Balen’s unexpected death and more than $27,000 was raised for the family. 

The Governors are doing their part to remember Van Balen, who was going to be a junior this season. Pierre is wearing No. 95 helmet stickers and the Governor captains are displaying his jersey during the coin toss. 

“It was just very easy for a lot of the guys to want to do something,” Steele said. “It’s the way they wanted to make sure that everyone knows he is still on this team. He is still listed on our roster. He’s still every bit on the top of everybody’s minds.”

Pierre is sporting Aiden Van Balen helmet stickers this season. (Steve Steele / Courtesy photo)

The Governors will also sport special jerseys on Sept. 19 during their homecoming game against Brookings. The jerseys will have an Hawaiian-floral pattern with Van Balen’s initials on the back. Steele said the Hawaiian-themed jerseys are based on Van Balen regularly wearing board shorts.   

Pierre planned on wearing the special jerseys during its season opener on Aug. 29. But after a 2.5 hour weather delay, the Governors opted to switch back to their original home jerseys. 

“By the time we actually figured we were going to start playing, we didn’t think that was the right time to do it,” Steele said. “We are hoping for better weather for homecoming next week and being able to get out there and really honor his memory.”

In addition to football, Van Balen also participated in wrestling and track and field. Van Balen’s GoFundMe page said, “He was full of life and energy, excited for a summer filled with sports camps, time with friends, and fun on the Missouri River. Whether he was cruising around town on his moped or preparing his jet ski, Aiden embraced every moment with joy and enthusiasm. Known for his fun-loving spirit, infectious goofiness, and undeniable talent, Aiden made an impression on everyone he met.”

Pierre will wear special jerseys in honor of Aiden Van Balen during its homecoming game this season. (Steve Steele / Courtesy photo)

Van Balen’s obituary described him as, “Aiden will be mostly remembered for his gentle and compassionate heart, his quick witty humor, his commitment to his sports, and always being there for anyone who needed him. His smile would light up any room, and his laughter was contagious.”

Steele said it would be hard to find someone who didn’t get along with Van Balen, who he described as a glue guy in school and athletics. 

“He was a glue guy because he got along with everybody,” Steele said. “He could go talk or listen. He could make someone feel better because he could go say something silly and be goofy and put a smile on just about anyone’s face.”