Dick Diveley

Booster (1975-1990)

Dick “Boom Boom” Diveley was an avid sideline supporter of Red Raven football for 15 seasons, beginning in 1975, when he put his “shotgun” idea into action. The tradition began when Diveley fired two shots for every Raven touchdown, one shot for every field goal and point after and one shot every time the Ravens kicked off to the opposing team.  He loaded his own shells with “Red Powder” to add to the color and excitement of all Red Raven games, both at home and away.  Diveley, an Oklahoma native, admits he borrowed the “Shotgun Salute” from the Oklahoma Sooners.

In his younger days Diveley played football at Commerce, OK, and Baxter Springs, KS.  Playing for legendary football coach, Al Woodard, Diveley understood “hard-nosed” football.  After high school graduation in 1945, Diveley joined the Army and played on a Service team while serving in the Armed Forces.

Dick was a big part of Red Raven football.  But during the 1983 National Championship year, Diveley was tackled by a personal tragedy.  While at work, over 62 per cent of his body was burned when a boiler exploded at Coffeyville Municipal Power and Light, where Dick had been employed since 1951.  Dick missed five Raven games during his recovery, and his son, Randy, shot the gun on Dick’s behalf at those games.  Dick stated, “Football teaches you a lot about life.  Basically, you get knocked down and if you don’t get back up, you’re going to lose the game.  The 1983 accident was my downfall to a degree, but I got back up and continued to fight.” After retiring in 1990, Dick said his most memorable moment with the Red Ravens was in 1983 when the football team presented him with an autographed game ball and a Championship watch.  Of that occasion Diveley said, “It’s a moment I’ll never forget”

Diveley’s final game saw the Red Ravens win their third National Championship in December 1990.  It was reported of this game, “From under his red-hooded jacket, Dick Diveley, 64, peered across the field through water-spotted glasses.  Suddenly, as though a convey of quail had taken flight, Diveley raised the shotgun previously held at his side and fired off both barrels, sending echoing bursts of sound waves into the downpour.  This was the third National Championship game which the Ravens won 58-20.  He had fired his final gun for the Red Ravens.”  The decision to retire his shotgun was not an easy one.  “You kind of hate to walk away from something you love, but I will always support the Red Ravens one hundred per cent.”

Dick stayed active in the Quarterback Club, Rotary and Cultural Arts Council.  He was an outstanding singer and performed with the Men’s Quartet.  He attended as many churches as he could to sing and tell his story of overcoming the pain and of the adjustment he had to make in his life after the 1983 accident.  He was married to Leita in 1945.  They had two sons, Randy and Kent.  Dick passed away on March 1, 1994.  A football endowed scholarship is given each year in his memory.

Dick Diveley will always be remembered for his true Red Raven Spirit.