Herman Raiff was singled out as one of Stivers all time great athletes by Robert”Pop” Worst in his “A History of Stivers Athletes”. Mr. Worst was the legendary athletics director at Stivers for thirty-four years and the architect who helped create the great teams and athletic tradition at Stivers. Herman Raiff played football and baseball for the Tigers during their most glorious sport eras. Originally, Herman played tackle; but when he was shifted to halfback, he proved to be one of the best open field runners in the history of Stivers football. In 1923 against Piqua, he scored three touchdowns and ran for 55 and 70 yard gains. The great 1922 and 1923 teams went undefeated, and the 1923 team was acclaimed as both state and national champions. However, it was in the game of baseball where Raiff was even better known. A great hitter, he participated in baseball at Stivers and, for much of his adult life, both played and managed local teams. He was able to maintain his Stivers connection as a life long member of the Varsity “S”.
After high school, Herman Raiff became well respected in his position as production manager at the Inland Division of General Motors where he retired after forty-five years. He remained in Dayton until his death in 1972, where he and his wife Helen had reared their family which has become a part of Daytons sport history. Both of their sons played football at Chaminade and the University of Dayton. Jerry also played baseball and basketball in high school; Jim went on to play football in the NFL after college. Even now, eighty-five years after Herman’s sport exploits, the Raiff name remains prominent in the area through the accomplishments of his grand and great-grandchildren.
In addition to their two sons, Herman and Helen had four daughters: Helen Raiff Myers, Joanne Raiff, Jane Raiff Bruno and Judith Raiff Smith.
