David Rivers graduated from Chillicothe High School in 1967. While at CHS, Rivers earned First Team All-COL honors in football and was Honorable Mention All-Ohio. He was also the school 100 yard dash record holder. In the spring of 1967, Rivers was the District Champion in 100 and 220 yard dashes, Long Jump and also anchored the 440 relay team. Rivers represented Ohio in the 4th U.S. Junior Jaycee Championships in Des Moines, Iowa. Rivers ran track & field at Western Kentucky University and was a four year letterman and Ohio Valley Conference Champion. He was part of the 1969 Conference 440 Relay Champions and was the 440 Intermediate Hurdles school record holder in 1971.