The Paul H. Vienna Scholarship, established in 1975 and sustained by local volunteers ever since, will be managed by ACAF starting this fall with the application and awarding process for the 2026-2027 academic year.
A beloved and highly-respected educator, coach, and administrator, Mr. Vienna built a remarkable track record during his 15 years of service to Belfast Central School before passing away at age 38 from a heart attack. From 1959 – 1974, Mr. Vienna served BCS as physical education teacher, athletic director, and boys’ soccer and basketball coach. He was BCS superintendent from 1974-75. His accomplishments and honors include 63 consecutive league wins and five league championships in basketball; four Section V soccer titles; Service as Secretary of Section V Athletic Association and President of the Allegany County Athletic Association, and recognition as Thomas Oakley Memorial Big 30 Basketball Coach of the Year.
After Paul Vienna passed away, family and friends established a scholarship fund with a late September golf outing set up as the initial fundraiser. Thus began the Paul H Vienna Scholarship golf tournament, which enjoyed a fifty-year run thanks to dedicated volunteers and significant community support from area schools, the Belfast community, and the larger athletic community that so appreciated Mr. Vienna and his legacy.
The tournament grew in popularity throughout its history, generating funds that have provided college scholarships to over one hundred Belfast Central School graduates. This summer the scholarship committee moved its unused scholarship funds to ACAF to endow the award, ensuring that the program will continue in perpetuity.
The Paul H. Vienna Scholarship predates the founding of the Allegany County Area Foundation (1983), making the scholarship uniquely ACAF’s newest and oldest. It is also the Foundation’s 100th active fund.
