An Equal Opportunity University. It really sort of shapes the fiber in you, of what you are.. It was real big-time negligence. Art was All-State, he was sought out by every major college on the East Coast, Slezak remembered. She traveled to Washington, D.C. for the hearings that were supposed to explain the crash. "At 1 o'clock in the morning, a detective came to the door. It has taken her more than a year. Because of the intensity of the crash, officials were unable to identify six of the players remains. Hill died in the 1970 plane crash. They met once a year, Red Dawson and the sycamore tree he picked out that was large enough to hide behind. Its still considered the worst air disaster in American sports history. ". His jersey hangs in Passaic High School. "They were all crying, all these huge linemen," Mary Jane said. [4] The following Saturday, another memorial service was held at the outdoor, 18,000-seat Fairfield Stadium. "Kenova to dedicate crash memorial Monday." Smith became the football team's spokesperson at the annual ceremony, where he delivers an annual message to parents, siblings, friends and coworkers of the victims who are still heartbroken by the tragedy that takes them back in time. Marshall Plane Crash: Remembering the Tragedy 52 Years Ago - FanBuzz Then success occurred in streaks. Plane Crash Memorial - Accident Report - Special Collections Patient as an elementary school teacher but also unrelenting. 1970 Marshall Thundering Herd football team, 1970 NCAA University Division independents football records, 1970 NCAA University Division football season, "Memories of Marshall; ex-player says shock of crash never ends", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1970_Marshall_Thundering_Herd_football_team&oldid=1109112752, 1970 NCAA University Division independents football season, Marshall Thundering Herd football seasons, Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in the United States, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using CFB schedule with named parameters, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 8 September 2022, at 01:19. There was room for only a few of them on the plane to Kinston, North Carolina. Huntington, West Virginia: The four remaining starters from the 1970 first string team of Marshall University take time out to pause at flower arrangement placed at Marshall Field following the devastating plane crash that killed all 75 aboard. [4] The controllers advised the crew that "rain, fog, smoke and a ragged ceiling" were at the airport, making landing more difficult, but possible. Marshall football plane crash was 50 years ago, but victim's friend can't forget that day. The crew established radio contact with air traffic controllers at 7:23 pm with instructions to descend to 5,000ft (1,500m). Police reported a few hours after the crash that "15 bodies had been recovered," but the fire was so intense that they were unable to get into the plane to examine further, The News wrote that year. > The aircraft began its normal descent after passing the outer marker, but did not arrest its descent and hold altitude at 1,240ft (380m), as required by the assigned instrument approach procedure. "At 21, you haven't been familiar with death. The college town agreed with him. The solemn ceremony was held around a fountain dedicated to the crash victims on Marshalls Huntington campus. Shops and government offices closed; businesses on the town's main street draped their windows in black bunting," History.com reported. The Thundering Herd upset Xavier, 15-13, in an emotional victory for the ages. Sort By. The victims included 36 Marshall University football players, 9 coaches and administrators, 25 fans and air crew of 5. . Allen Gene Skeens, #59, 1970 MU Football team, b&w. In 2000, at age 50, Call became a flight attendant with USAir Express. Three-and-a-half years after the crash in 1974, Carter was working with Carl Hewlett, a former Marshall pitcher. The two had breakfast together and talked for hours. Marshall decided to continue the football program. Among the losses were nearly the entire Marshall University football team, coaches, flight crew, numerous fans, and supporters. ". Carter hardly knew anyone on the team who carried on. Mary Jane was persistent. But I already knew. For Slezak, a retired banker/computer engineer, Saturday's 50th anniversary of the crash is an emotional occasion. MU_PLANE_CRASH. I'll be right over.' 75 members, coaches, and fans were killed in November 1970 plane crash. Never defeated. Middle guard Ed Carter was back in Wichita Falls, Texas, that terrible day to bury his father. Prior to the state Senate's unanimous vote Wednesday, the chamber held a moment of silence for the crash victims at . Marshall remembers lives lost in worst US sports disaster A Tragic Plane Crash in 1970 Killed Most of Marshall's - Sportscasting Not only that, she happened to be on a flight during 9/11. He said,'Mrs. "When the 14th of November comes around every year, all the worms and stuff start getting in your head," Dawson said. "You sissy," Dawson said. Wayne County Democratic Sen. Robert Plymale was 15 at the time and was with friends in Kenova, near the airport. We Are Marshall.. At age 69, the former Marshall defender calls himself a "traveling preacher." Just before 8 pm, the plane crashed into a hill two miles from the Tri-State Airport in Kenova, W.V., where everyone on aboard were killed on impact. "I'm sure you can pretty much figure that one out," said Mary Jane Tolley, wife of head coach Rick Tolley, who died in the crash. We didn't have children, so she was like a child. Sketch is matted and framed. A bill has won final legislative approval in West Virginia that would establish an annual day of recognition for the worst sports disaster in U.S. history, a plane crash that killed most of Marshall University's football team. The bill establishes that Nov. 14 will become a special memorial day in remembrance of the crash. Its an inspiring tribute to those fallen lives and the devoted men who led Marshall back to glory. > Gone were sons, fathers, mothers, classmates and fraternity brothers. No one will ever know exactly how Harris Sr. ended up on the plane. Plymale said his mother was a professor at Marshall. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: collegefootball | pageType: stories | The weather conditions were poor, mist and light rain with broken clouds at 500 feet. It still stands as the most fatal sports-related accident in history. What they witnessed was dystopian. He said, 'What the hell is going on with Virginia Tech?' Mom and her intuition won. [24], Marshall was scheduled to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the air disaster in their football season opener on August 29, 2020. There are gravesites at Spring Hill Cemetery bearing the remains of six Marshall players from the crash who could never be identified. Cabell County Democratic Sen. Mike Woelfel said he was 17 years old driving in his car in Huntington when news of the crash came on the radio. "Anniversaries are supposed to be happy," Slezak said . Rick Tolley is behind him. Her recollections of the crash's aftermath are split. The rest were pilots, crew, coaches, administrators, boosters and business leaders. [16] The sculpture's designer, Harry Bertoia, created the $25,000 memorial that incorporated bronze, copper tubing, and welding rods. Art Shannon, #34, 1970 MU Football team, b&w. The crash was the worst in American sports history. This is not what you wanted to hear. Griffith died in the 1970 plane crash. Insurance agents were annoying. By JOHN RABY February 15, 2023. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. We'll look at what happened to the Marshall University football program as a . He was also the offensive line coach. Tolley's grave was moved up there a few years ago. So were the religious types who were too numerous for their messages to get through. Plymales mother attended a funeral in North Carolina, and her family became close friends with the victims family. All Rights Reserved. [13][14], The Marshall University football team only won two games during the 1971 season, against Xavier and Bowling Green. Find a Grave Memorial - Find A Grave Charges dropped against Georgia WR Rara Thomas, UCLA, Kelly agree to extension through 2027, Four Pac-12 programs renew contact with Big 12, NCAA committee approves new college football rules, Saban sounds off on proposed permanent opponents. 75 members, coaches, and fans were killed in November 1970 plane crash. His body could not be identified, and with five other players, they were all buried. She spoke of her husband's early days as an assistant at Ferrum Junior College in Virginia. Please first navigate to a specific Image before printing. To be honest, when she told me, I didn't believe her because we had never had a plane trip.". Marshall won just two games, and the first winning season didnt come for another 13 years. If you play football at Marshall University, you have a role to make sure that's never forgotten.". Defensive back. To make matters worse, Marshall was placed on probation by the NCAA because of recruiting violations and alleged payments to its players, the Daily News reported at the time. Charles Kautz, MU A/D and coaches, 1970 MU football team, b&w. Thats what we are doing today.. "He was a tremendous athlete who could do it all. A plaque was placed on the base on August 10, 1973, reading: They shall live on in the hearts of their families and friends forever and this memorial records their loss to the university and the community. The aircraft was a 95-seat, twin-jet engine Douglas DC-9-30 with tail registration N97S. "God has a time for each one of us," Carter said. Instead, the descent continued for another 300ft (91m) for unknown reasons, apparently without either crew member actually seeing the airport lights or runway. Hewlett gave Carter a pamphlet titled, "Steps To Peace With God." It was raining hard, and he remembered seeing ambulances speeding past the group. 1970 Crash Victims. At the time, freshmen couldnt play varsity sports in college. Marshall coach Rick Tolley demonstrating a move to team captain Dave Griffith, Mike Blake and Dave DeBord (left to right) in 1970. "I believe I want to be buried up there with my boys," Dawson said. CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) A bill has won final legislative approval in West Virginia that would establish an annual day of recognition for the worst sports disaster in U.S. history, a plane crash that killed most of Marshall University's football team. "It was not a premonition. A memorial fountain will be turned off the same time it is every year only to be turned back on in the spring. "I'm still wondering why.". Nobody went anywhere.". They stayed in Marshall for a fundraising event. Harris Sr. told Slezak he had to keep his promises. Rescue teams search for victims at the site of the Yeti Airlines plane crash, in Pokhara on January 17, 2023. Patricia Smith was adopted and eventually, after exhaustive research, tracked down the identity of her father at age 30. 75 members, coaches, and fans were killed in November 1970 plane crash. Mary Jane eventually moved to Richmond, Virginia. [4] By the time the plane came to a stop, it was 4,219ft (1,286m) short of the runway and 275ft (84m) south of the middle marker. Members of the current team also visited a nearby cemetery, where six players from the 1970 team whose bodies were never identified were buried. "I always loved to fly," she said. > After an uneventful flight, the crew contacted Huntington Airport tower at 7:23 p.m. and were cleared for a localizer approach on runway 11. Virginia Tech's coach had a plan for the pregame. The plane descended below the Minimum Descent Altitude, striking trees on a hillside about one mile from the runway. Southern Airways Flight 932. They couldn't take the tough routine. "I didn't want anybody to see me crying. They had met in Roanoke, Virginia, where she taught. Marshall decided to continue the football program. These are some of their stories, 50 years later. In the following weeks, Lengyel was aided in his attempts by receivers' coach Red Dawson. On Nov 14, 1970, 75 people died in the worst sports related air tragedy in U.S. history, when a Southern Airways DC-9 crashed into the hillside nearby. Marshall Plane Crash Site Marker. Mary Jane was the perfect coach's wife. [1] The team played its home games at Fairfield Stadium in Huntington, West Virginia. [22], On Nov. 14, 1970, 75 people died in the worst sports-related air tragedy in U.S. history, when a Southern Airways DC-9 crashed into a hillside nearby.The victims included 36 Marshall University football players, 9 coaches and administrators, 25 fans and air crew of 5.No one survived this horrific disaster.[1]. His body was not identified and he is buried with five other unidentified players in the Springhill Cemetery. White roses are placed along the edge of the Memorial Fountain to honor the 75 lives lost in the 1970 plane crash during the 50th Annual Memorial Fountain Service Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, at the Memorial Student Center in Huntington, W.Va. Marshall commemorated the 50th anniversary of the worst disaster in U.S. sports history, when 75 people, including most of the football team, were killed in a Nov. 14, 1970, plane crash. December 10, 2006 Herald-Dispatch [Huntington]. Roy Slezak refuses to call it an anniversary. Before the trip, they were scheduled to go on a recruiting mission to Ferrum College after the ECUMarshall game, in an ultimately unsuccessful effort to recruit junior college linebacker Billy Joe Mantooth. [12] Lengyel was named to take Tolley's place on March 12, 1971, after Dick Bestwick, the first choice for the job, backed out after just one week and returned to Georgia Tech. That's German for "stormy." Former Marshall cheerleader Lucianne Kautz Call lost her father, Charlie E. Kautz, who was the universitys athletic director. It is the center of activity of the campus. On the 50th anniversary, they're both still around. 75 members, coaches, and fans were killed in November 1970 plane crash. [3] The team was returning home after a 1714 loss to the East Carolina Pirates at Ficklen Stadium in Greenville, North Carolina. "We'd always rode buses.". The Druid Four did and were all killed in the crash. Captain Frank H. Abbott, Jr. , aged 47, was employed by Southern Airways, Inc.. Marshall University Football Team Players: James Michael Adams, of Mansfield, Ohio - Guard, Mark Raeburn Andrews, of Cincinnati, Ohio - Offensive Guard, Mike Francis Blake, of Huntington, West Virginia - Linebacker, Dennis Michael Blevins, of Bluefield, West Virginia - Wide Receiver, Willie Bluford Jr., of Greenwood, South Carolina - Wide receiver, Larry Brown, of Atlanta, Georgia - Defensive Guard, Thomas Wayne Brown, of Richmond, Virginia - Defensive Guard, Roger Keith Childers, of St. Albana, West Virginia, Stuart Spence Cottrell, of Eustis, Florida - Defensive Back, Richard Lee Dardinger, of Mount Vernon, Ohio - Center, David Grant DeBord, of Quincy, Florida - Offensive Tackle, Kevin Francis Gilmore, of Harrison, New Jersey - Halfback, David Dearing Griffith, Jr, of Clarksville, Virginia - Defensive End, Arthur W. Harris, of Passaic, New Jersey - Halfback, Robert Anthony Harris, of Cincinnati, Ohio - Quarterback, Bob Wayne Hill, of Dallas, Texas - Defensive Back, Joe Lee Hood, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama - Halfback, James Thomas Howard Jr., of Milton, West Virginia - Offensive Guard, Marcelo H. Lajterman, of Lyndhurst, New Jersey - Kicking Specialist, Richard Adam Lech, of Columbus, Ohio - Defensive Back, Barry Winston Nash, of Accoville, West Virginia - Tight End, Patrick Jay Norrell, of Hartsdale, New York - Offensive Guard, James Robert Patterson, of Louisburg, North Carolina - Offensive Tackle, Scottie Lee Reese, of Waco, Texas - Defensive End, John Anton Repasy Jr., of Cincinnati, Ohio - Wide Reciever, Larry Sanders, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama - Defensive Back, Charles Alan "Al" Saylor, of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio - Defensive End, Arthur Kirk Shannon, of Greensboro, North Carolina - Linebacker, Lionel Ted Shoebridge, of Lyndhurst, New Jersey - Quarterback, Allen Gene Skeens, of Ravenswood, West Virginia - Center, Jerry Dodson Stainback, of Newport News, Virginia - Linebacker, Donald Tackett, Jr., of Paden City, West Virginia, Robert James Van Horn, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama - Tackle, Roger Arnie Vanover, of Russell, Kentucky - Defensive End, Freddie Clay Wilson, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama - Tackle, John Patton Young, of Buckhannon, West Virginia - Tight End, Thomas Jonathan Zborill, of Richmond, Virginia - Defensive End, Charles Arnold, of Huntington, West Virginia, Rachel Lynette Arnold, of Huntington, West Virginia, Dr. Joseph Chambers, of Huntington, West Virginia - Local physician, Margaret Chambers, of Huntington, West Virginia, Dr. Ray Hagley, of Huntington, West Virginia - Local physician, Shirley Ann Hagley, of Huntington, West Virginia, Arthur L. Harris, of Passaic, New Jersey - Father of player Art Harris, E.O. [18], Each year on the anniversary of the crash, those who died are mourned in a ceremony on the Marshall University campus in Huntington, West Virginia. "I could hear the speeches and see what was going on [from behind the tree]," he said. David Debord, #76, 1970 MU Football team, b&w. He and the sycamore have aged well. The Hokies were in town to play the Herd. "Lord, the first time they asked me to speak at the anniversary, I was a mess," Dawson said. They couldn't see. At 7:36pm on November 14, 1970, the aircraft crashed into a hill just short of the Tri-State Airport, killing all 75 people on board in what has been recognized as "the worst sports-related air tragedy in U.S. You see, out of the tragedy has come not a celebration but an annual realization that some good has been made out of the worst thing imaginable. Special Collections Most of his teammates were gone, forever. The event marked a boundary by which an entire community would forever measure time before or after The Crash. "Apparently, it was time God saw fit to call them.". Carter wants everyone to know God chose him to survive for that purpose. 16 and undefeated at 6-0. 13,739 Plane Crash Victim Premium High Res Photos "She was wonderful," Mary Jane Tolley said of Sturmisch. Carter read his own obituary the next day in the local newspaper. Art could have played professional baseball or professional football.. About 128 Marshall Plane Crash Premium High Res Photos - Getty Images [21], November 14, 2013, marked the first time that Marshall had played a road game on an anniversary of the disaster. After the plane crash, she became the only thing that I had.". On November 14, Southern Airways Flight 932, which was chartered by the school to fly the Thundering Herd football team, coaches, and fans to Kinston, North Carolina for a game against the East Carolina Pirates and back to Huntington, crashed on approach to Tri-State Airport after clipping trees just west of the runway and impacting nose-first into a hollow. Across the nation, many expressed their condolences. That's why, when a vet recommended Mary Jane stay home that weekend of Nov. 14 because a tumor had developed in Sturmisch's toe, there was no hesitation. The aircraft "dipped to the right, almost inverted, and had crashed into a hollow 'nose-first'". Not surprisingly, Call will be the keynote speaker at Saturday's memorial. The following offseason, Dawson went to a national coaching convention. var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; His body was not identified and he is buried with five other unidentified players in the Springhill Cemetery. Allen Gene Skeens, #59, 1970 MU Football team, b&w. Skeens was killed in the plane crash. "I took the phone, but Mrs. Shoebridge was crying hysterically.