Former West Virginia University student Ryan Diviney died on Saturday, nearly a decade after he was beaten into a coma and left with lasting brain damage. He was 29 years old

A former West Virginia University student has died nearly a decade after he was beaten into a coma and left with lasting brain damage.

Ryan Diviney was a sophomore and standout athlete at WVU when he was brutally attacked and kicked in the head in November 2009 just off campus in Morgantown, West Virginia.

He suffered extensive brain damage and fell into a coma but never returned to his former self, remaining in a 'vegetative state' for the past decade.

Diviney's family worked hard to keep his body rehabbed in hopes that his life could someday be improved by modern medicine.

The beloved 29-year-old from Ashburn, Virginia, was on vacation with his family in West Virginia when he began struggling to breathe on Saturday night. He died as the family drove to the hospital.

A Facebook page dedicated to providing updates about Diviney's condition and the assault case, 'Ryan's Rally We Got This', announced the 29-year-old's death on Sunday.

'This was a post I never wanted to write. It is with great sadness I must inform you all that Ryan Diviney has succumbed to his injuries. It was sudden and unexpected,' Diviney's friend Katie Mesmer wrote.

He remained in a 'vegetative state' for 10 years before his death on Saturday, August 31

Diviney was a sophomore and standout athlete when he was brutally attacked and kicked in the head in November 2009 just off the WVU campus in Morgantown, West Virginia

Diviney suffered extensive brain damage and fell into a coma but never came out

'The Diviney family is going through waves of unimaginable sadness, anger, and appreciation,' the post continued.

'Their sadness will be coped with over time and their anger will be directed where it is appropriate.

'Mostly the Diviney's appreciate what everyone has done for Ryan over the past 10 years. Without you all, Ryan would have never received the comfort and care, nor lived as long after the attacked as he did. They are sincerely grateful.

'In true Ryan Diviney fashion, he wanted to donate organs to help save others lives.'

Diviney's father, Ken Diviney, texted local media outlet MetroNews with the news on Monday morning.

'Please let the people of West Virginia know how deeply our family appreciates everything they did for my family, and Ryan specifically,' Ken wrote.

'We are sincerely and eternally grateful. We love them. Let them know my family holds them in our heart today.'

WVU also released a statement which read: 'Our sincere condolences are with the Diviney family with word of Ryan's death.

'The Diviney family has been an inspiration in its devotion to and care for Ryan since the tragedy almost 10 years ago.

'All Mountaineers hold Ryan and his family in our hearts during this very difficult time.'

Diviney's family worked hard to keep his body rehabbed in hopes that his life could someday be improved by modern medicine

The family kept supporters updated on Diviney's condition via a Facebook page

Austin Vantrease (left and right) and Jonathan May were charged for the 2009 assault. Vantrease, who kicked Diviney in the head after he fell to the ground, was convicted and sentenced to 2-10 years for malicious assault. He was released after four years in 2014

Complete funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

Diviney's story inspired a documentary called 'Storming', detailing the horror assault and his family's dedicated efforts to keep him alive afterward.

Austin Vantrease and Jonathan May were charged in connection with the 2009 assault that left Diviney with severe brain injuries.

May, who threw the initial punch, was convicted and jailed for seven months.

Vantrease, who kicked Diviney in the head after he fell to the ground, was convicted and sentenced to 2-10 years for malicious assault. He was released after four years in 2014.

At Vantrease's 2010 sentencing hearing, Ken Diviney told the judge that he fantasized about spending 'two minutes' with his son's attacker in a 'locked room with a baseball bat', saying the defendant 'won't come out in any worse condition than my son'.

Nine years later, the father told the Washington Post on Monday that he is still angry at the men who irreparably injured his son.

Prosecutors could in theory bring murder charges against Vantrease and May in the wake of Diviney's death under what's known as a 'delayed death exception'.

Diviney is pictured with his mother, Sue Diviney, prior to the accident in November 2009

Diviney is survived by his mother Sue, younger sister Kari and father Ken