Dick Coffee

From Bhamwiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Richard Easter Coffee Jr (born September 21, 1921 in Decatur, Morgan County; died June 21, 2013 in Birmingham) was the founder of Dick Coffee Enterprises which began publishing the monthly Birmingham Doin's in 1950 and the annual Dick Coffee's Football Guide in 1951.

Coffee and his two sisters were born to Decatur businessman Richard Coffee and the former Mary Sue Graves. After high school he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served during World War II as part of the 10th Armored Division of Patton's 3rd Army. He was injured a few days before his unit participated in the Battle of the Bulge. After leaving the service, Coffee completed a bachelor's degree in advertising at the University of Alabama and, in November 1946, began a lifelong tradition of attending every Alabama Crimson Tide football game which extended to 781 consecutive games over 66 years.

When he graduated, Coffee founded his business publishing monthly entertainment guides, which he expanded to several Southern cities, along with his annual football and basketball guides. He served as an administrative board member at Canterbury United Methodist Church, on the executive committee of the Jefferson County chapter of the University of Alabama Alumni Association. He also served on the board of the Monday Morning Quarterback Club.

Coffee has been a member of numerous groups of sports fans, including the Red Elephant Club, the Bama Tipoff Club, Birmingham Tipoff Club, and the 1st & Ten Club. He was named "College Football's #1 Superfan" by ESPN in 2010, and was credited by The New York Times with pioneering the "Charge" cheer which has been popularized nationwide. He and his wife, Nora planted hundreds of rose bushes around their home on Hagood Street in Crestline, and were active in the Birmingham Rose Society.

References

External links

Retrieved from "http://bhamwiki.com/w/index.php?title=Dick_Coffee&oldid=144311"