Bielema once again proves the character he really is

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SEARCY (KATV) - A White County couple got the royal treatment at Saturday's Razorback game.
But they wouldn't have been able to enjoy it if they hadn't gone to Alaska first.

If it is one thing good coaches know how to do...it is motivate people.

And those people are not always their players.

This Spring within a two week period, David and Karla Stracener lost their home to a tornado and their son and his fiancee to a motorcycle accident.

Still in deep despair a month later, they received a surprise phone call from Razorback football coach Bret Bielema.

"He was humble," recalls David Stracener of their 15 minute phone call with the coach. "He was kind. He was extremely patient. He shared about losing his sister...and he was just...and I thought it was just...I told him...that's the first time that we'd actually really been happy since we lost Ben."

On Saturday the Straceners and their daughter Tillie were special guests of the coach...on the sideline before the game and watching the game from the wives' suite.

Jen Bielema presented them an authentic Razorback helmet.

The trip was a welcome break from reality, but they would need more to continue on in life.

Spark of Life is an Arkansas-based non-profit that puts on retreats for those who have suffered tremendous loss.

The Straceners visited Alaska where they learned ways to deal with their pain and emotions.

"The reason I'm doing this and talking about my son Ben and his fiancee Samantha is because I want to get the word out on Spark of Life," says David Stracener. "Because it did such a fantastic job in helping us through our grief."

The Straceners will be honored at an annual banquet next month.

To learn more about Spark of Life or to donate in the name of Ben and Sam, visit www.sparkoflife.org.

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