Cincinnati youth, Reds Community Fund loses champion as Dave Dierker dies at 74

Melanie Laughman, Cincinnati Enquirer
Dave Dierker speaks at his retirement in July 2016.
Dave Dierker speaks at his retirement in July 2016.

The Reds Community Fund and Cincinnati youth lost a fierce champion Saturday when Dave Dierker died at age 74.

Dierker was the athletic director of Mount Healthy City School District from August 1990 until he took over as the Cincinnati Public Schools AD in July 1998. He retired in July 2016.

Charley Frank, 20-year executive director of the Reds Community Fund, said Dierker served on the fund's board and advisory committee. He said arguably no individual relationship has been more influential on the growth of that program, which uses baseball and softball to improve young lives.

Dave Dierker, center, is joined by Brian Leshner of SAF/ABC and Charley Frank of the Reds Community Fund.
Dave Dierker, center, is joined by Brian Leshner of SAF/ABC and Charley Frank of the Reds Community Fund.

"Dave has left an indelible legacy in the community. He was an extraordinary partner to the Reds and Reds Community Fund. He made it possible to conduct programming at the old CAPE/Jacobs campus, which led to five years of baseball, softball and education instruction and eventually transitioned into the P&G MLB Cincinnati Reds Youth Academy in Roselawn," Frank said.

"Dave was a successful coach and tireless administrator in New Jersey, North College Hill and throughout CPS. He helped form the SAF (Student Activities Foundation), which has become the ABC (Activities Beyond the Classroom) Foundation. With Dave’s vision and leadership, SAF/ABC helped level and stabilize athletics for boys and girls of all ages throughout the district."

Frank said Dierker also championed the district’s “Centers of Excellence” model, providing better facilities such as Stargel Stadium near Taft High School to share with.

Joining Dave Dierker, right, are Dawn Diesel, left, and Jolinda Lewis-Miller.
Joining Dave Dierker, right, are Dawn Diesel, left, and Jolinda Lewis-Miller.

"Dave was a loyal and dedicated partner, and an even better husband, father, sibling and friend," Frank said.

To offer a donation to the Dave Dierker Scholarship, make checks payable to Cincinnati Public Schools with the "Dave Dierker Scholarship" indicated in the memo section.

Send checks to CPS Education Center, Attention: Athletics, 2651 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45219. For credit card payments, call 513-363-9503.

The Enquirer will update this story.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Dave Dierker, former CPS AD and Reds Community Fund adviser, dies

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