Dedication Ceremony: Ryan’s Jersey Retired

Ryan’s high school, Broad Run, honored him yesterday evening. A dedication ceremony was held on the baseball field where a pewter plaque will be permanently displayed to memorialize my son. Yet, the greatest tribute was when the high school’s Athletic Department and current baseball head coach, Tommy Meier, retired his jersey number, 3… never to worn again by another.

This is the highest honor any player can ever receive.

Here’s a direct link to local Washington, D.C. news coverage. It will open in a separate tab so you’ll keep my post active: http://www.fox5dc.com/news/local-news/high-school-honors-former-student-athlete-who-was-brutally-attacked-nearly-a-decade-ago

To follow is the transcript of the public address announcers introduction, followed by Tommy Meier’s speech. It was the most amazing tribute to my son that I ever heard.

P. A. Announcer, Introduction (Diviney Dedication Night):

Welcome friends and family to Broad Run High School on this special evening. Tonight, our baseball program would like to conduct a recognition ceremony for two reasons: First – to recognize the outstanding career of a former Spartan baseball player, and Second – to raise awareness of the struggle that a local family has gone through due to a tragedy that took place 9 & a half years ago.

During the 2007 and 2008 baseball seasons, the Broad Run Spartans varsity baseball team won back-to-back Dulles District Championships for the first time in over a decade. During those Championship seasons, the Spartans’ hitters were led by 1^st basemen, Ryan Diviney. As the Spartans’ #3 hitter, Ryan was selected to the 2006, 2007, and 2008 All-Dulles District baseball teams.

During his Senior campaign, Ryan had a team-leading 27 RBIs, as the Spartans’ team set a program record for wins in a season with 21. The Spartans’ advanced to the VHSL State Quarterfinals, where we saw Ryan hit a home run in his final high school at-bat against the eventual State Champion, Powhatan High School.

After Graduation, Ryan attended West Virginia University studying Political Science. Late one evening on November 7^th, 2009, Ryan was viciously attacked by a group of students – this unprovoked attack, has left Ryan Diviney in a coma ever since.

Tonight, we would like to recognize Ryan’s career, as well as his family – who’s hard work, care and dedication have inspired our community.

If we could please now, direct our attention to home plate as we hear a few words from Coach Meier.

Head Coach, Tommy Meier, Tribute:

Thank you Mr. Siegel, and thank you to all of those who helped make this night possible – first and foremost, all of the families who have continued to support the Diviney’s these last 10 seasons.

And also, I want to thank specifically, Crown Trophy & Awards, Ashburn Framing, Katrina Sorrentino – who currently is filming a documentary called, “Storming: The Ryan Diviney Story,” which surrounds Ryan’s attack and his families efforts to save him every day.

And lastly, I would like to thank Ken, Sue, and Kari Diviney who were able to make it today and share this ceremony with us.

For those of you who don’t know, Ryan Diviney is my best friend.

• The Diviney’s moved here when Ryan was in 3^rd grade, which led me to learn the first fact about Ryan – he was a Braves’ fan – a hardcore Braves fan. We grew up in a time when the Braves won the NL East every year from 1993 – 2008, a fact Ryan consistently reminded me of. Our sports debates were things I cherished, we would openly root against our teams, but secretly wouldn’t be upset when they did well.

• We really became close friends in middle school at Farmwell Station, when I had History class with him, and quickly realized how funny he was. Ryan could’ve thrived as a middle school comedian – his Social commentary was spot on, and his impressions were 2^nd to none. He was the nickname generator of our generation.

• Everywhere he went, he was full of life & energy. Ryan had a unique way of talking to someone and making them feel like they were the most important person in the world.

• Ryan was passionate about school, sports, and his friends – not necessarily in that order. Sports are something Ryan always succeeded in.

• As a 6^th grader in 2002, Ryan threw the first PERFECT GAME in the history of Dulles Little League.

• While in middle school, Ryan always talked about Broad Run – and kept his friends looking forward to our athletic potential once we all got to high school.

• I remember sitting in Mrs. Sutor’s 7^th grade Science class, and while the rest of the kids were attempting some classwork, Ryan would be drawing up the starting lineup for the future players of Broad Run baseball.

• Once we got to high school, Ryan was our unofficial leader for all of the sporting events. Ryan had this vision of a hype, spirited school culture – with crazy cheering student sections and state championship banners.

• But when we got to Broad Run, none of that existed. Ryan never accepted things for as they were, he was always eager to find out how they could be better.

• This led to Ryan during his Junior year, to create our student section, that he nicknamed the “Maroon Crew.” The Maroon Crew is now the most talked and written about student section in Loudoun County, but people forget that it was started by a kid who had a vision for a better – more spirited community.

• Growing up playing with Ryan in football, basketball, and baseball – he always made his teammates and friends believe that we were better than we realized.

• Ryan was a major contributor on our Varsity football team that won its first District championship in 20 years in 2007, he wanted more though, and he reminded the younger kids that our school had “state championship” expectations.

• During our years on Varsity baseball, Ryan was our unannounced leader, he included everyone wherever he went, and wanted nothing more than Broad Run baseball to be successful.

• As his best friend, he gave me confidence for every new experience in my life because he had nothing but a winning mindset.

• This is why the attack of Ryan 9.5 years ago has been so devastating. A kid always had such a positive, and impactful view of the future, had his future taken away from him by the selfish acts of dumb college kids.

• What has been inspiring is the care & love that has been shown by the Diviney family, especially his Dad who has never left Ryan’s side to this day. Ken Diviney, and the Diviney family, were a lot like the rest of families in Ashburn, until that fateful Fall night.

• This is why I ask everyone, please visit RyansRally.org – visit the GoFundMe page, watch the trailer for Ryan’s documentary, and aim to help the Diviney family as you would want someone to help your family under such dire circumstances.

• For the Diviney family, and the inspiration they have provided us, we have made a plaque, that will be placed onto the brick of our Press Box behind home plate – forever, dedicating our program to continuing the spirit Ryan left with us, and reminding the Diviney family that they are never alone. –

[Read] PLAQUE: In Honor of Ryan Diviney. The Broad Run Baseball Program is dedicated to continuing the memory of Class of 2008 Graduate, Ryan Diviney. Ryan was a 3-time All-District baseball player, he led the Varsity Baseball Team to back-to-back Dulles District Championships in 2007 and 2008. On November 7, 2009, Ryan was a victim of a senseless act of violence while attending West Virginia University. Let us never forget the tragedy, but let us always remember the tremendous athlete, a great friend, and the family that continues to stand behind him. In Dedication to Ken, Sue, Ryan, and Kari Diviney.

• And lastly, for Ryan’s achievements and accomplishments, and the impact Ryan made on our baseball program, it goes without saying that our back-to-back District Championships would not have happened without Ryan.

• For this, and as a gift for the family, tonight we at Broad Run High School would like to retire Ryan’s #3 varsity baseball jersey, never to be worn by a Spartan baseball player again.  **Have one of our players walk out with Ryan’s jersey**

• Thank you to everyone who continues to keep our friend Ryan relevant, and thank you to the Diviney family for inspiring us every day.

• Love you Ryan. Go Spartans! —End Dedication—

Like last night, Tommy’s words made me cry… again.

Photos! If you’d like to see some photographs to understand how emotional it was for everyone, just click this link to our photo page: Photos

As always, thank you for helping spread the word through social media by sharing. Believe me, this is the best way to help keep Ryan relevant.