The 1970 Red Demon Football brought Dodge City High School glory on the gridiron. Fifty years later, the DCHS Athletic Department held a reunion to celebrate the school’s lone football state championship. Unbeknownst to anyone at the time, the impact of those two events would compel a former Red Demon to begin the process of giving back in a big way! And the generosity of one, has become a trend for several Red Demon alumni and their families.
In 2021, Louie Riederer established the Riederer Family Scholarship. Louie was a mostly unknown sophomore practice player on the 1970 team. However, the lessons learned on the football field and the halls of DCSHS propelled him to a degree from the University of Kansas and career as a successful business man. In 1982, Louie purchased Johnny’s Tavern in Lawrence. Forty-two years later, he now owns and operates 13 locations – where you can order a “Dodge City” hamburger while watching your favorite team on the big screen! The Riederer Family Scholarship is a $20,000 scholarship that is awarded to a DCHS senior that has not only shown a strong work ethic in the classroom, but is also known to be a great teammate and community member. The scholarship is also unique in respect to the fact that it pays out over the course of four years – a rarity in the world of scholarships – as it rewards a student for “sticking it out”.
Not only has the Riederer Family Scholarship been a blessing for those selected, but it has served as a catalyst for several others.
The Jonny Boom Scholarship was established in 2021 in memory of Red Demon alum, Jon Mills. Jon was a former football and baseball player for the Red Demons before graduating in 2008. The scholarship is a one-time ($2,000) scholarship awarded to a DCHS baseball or softball senior.
Two brand new scholarships, the Russell Rogers Family Scholarship ($2,000) and Lance Nichols Family Scholarship ($500) were both initiated for seniors in the Class of 2024.
Russell Rogers was a 1979 alumni of DCHS and raised his family in Dodge City. He was proud to have all three of his boys, Dallis, Daniel, and Bradly, compete for the Red Demons before each graduated from DCHS.
Lance Nichols was not a graduate of DCHS, but did teach and coach at DCHS before spending 41 years in professional baseball. Both of his children, Ty and Tara, graduated from DCHS.
The legacy of community has always been strong in Dodge City. These distinguished alumni and their families are making sure that legacy is continued to the next generation of Red Demons!
