The decision had already been made regarding cheerleaders for that trip. | "Red," Call said recently, "where you going to be buried?". Home Because of the intensity of the crash, officials were unable to identify six of the players remains. We Are Marshall starred Matthew McConaughey as Jack Lengyel, the head coach who took over the program in 1971. He makes sure the Herd have a home game. Marshall Plane Crash: Remembering the Tragedy 52 Years Ago - FanBuzz 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. That day nine years ago, "Frank Beamer became a very special person in my mind," Hamrick said. College Football Player, Plane Crash Victim. The controller gave them clearance to land. Back then, Bowden was the wide receivers coach. 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. "He wasn't a real big guy, but I don't know how many ballcarriers he hit and knocked them back in the direction they came from," Beamer said. All were qualified for the flight. She never could explain it other than saying God had spoken to her. Beamer was at his wife-to-be's home that November night. Cemetery Visibility: Public. A look at the 1970 Marshall University plane crash - New York Daily News Across the nation, many expressed their condolences. He was a linebacker. [1] The team played its home games at Fairfield Stadium in Huntington, West Virginia. Rescue teams search for victims at the site of the Yeti Airlines plane crash, in Pokhara on January 17, 2023. Marshall University: a Virtual Cemetery - Find a Grave It slipped out from underneath him, according to Dawson, and Oliver hit his head. "You sissy," Dawson said. Marshall Thundering Herd cheerleaders react as a video saluting the 1970 team that was killed in a plane crash is shown on the scoreboard prior to. The victims included 36 Marshall University football players, 9 coaches and administrators, 25 fans and crew of 5. Forty years from the time they had last seen each other -- the day before the crash -- the teacher saw the student and asked, "Soletta, is that you?". Bill to set annual remembrance for Marshall plane crash 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 Marshall football team tragedy remains one of the saddest sports stories of all time. The co-pilot, monitoring the altimeter, called out, "It's beginning to lighten up a little bit on the ground here at seven hundred feet We're two hundred above [the descent vector]," and the charter coordinator replied, "Bet it'll be a missed approach." 75 members, coaches, and fans were killed in November 1970 plane crash. At 7:34pm, the airliner's crew reported passing Tri-State Airport's outer marker. Memorial Fountain on the Marshall University campus, dedicated in 1972. 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. Joe Hood, Larry Sanders, Robert Van Horn and Freddy Wilson had come from Druid High School. It's called survivor's guilt, the feeling of unfairly surviving an incident when others did not. Loria became Marshall's defensive backs coach in 1970. (East Carolina is located nearby in Greenville.) Before the noon ET game, a crowd will gather at Spring Hill Cemetery once again to observe the past but also celebrate what they and the university have become. Bobby East, driver of the #21 Ford during the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, died Wednesday, July 13, 2022, after being fatally stabbed at a gas station in Westminster, Calif. He was an incredible all-around athlete. Rick, he ran them off. FAQ Banners will be raised across the Marshall campus bearing their images. 75 members, coaches, and fans were killed in November 1970 plane crash. 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; 128 Marshall Plane Crash Premium High Res Photos - Getty Images The return became the subject of the film, "We Are Marshall". In the teams first home game since the plane crash, Marshall put together one of the most inspiring performances in sports history. Pure chance, some cases. We Are Marshall was the rallying cry for the Thundering Herds football program in 1970. "I didn't want anybody to see me crying. Call is giddy talking about Marshall president Jerome Gilbert's initiative to award all 36 players their diplomas at a Friday afternoon ceremony. 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. They told the police they want to go to Spring Hill Cemetery. Parker flew to the game, but did not fly back, having switched places with Deke Brackett, another coach. Kautz died in the 1970 plane crash. So I think this is another step along in that healing process., FILE - A memorial plaque is displayed at the site of a 1970 plane crash that killed 75 people, including 36 Marshall football players, on Oct. 24, 2020, near Huntington, W.Va. A bill has won final legislative approval Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, in West Virginia, that would establish an annual day of recognition for the worst sports disaster in U.S. history. 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. Among them were Dr. Ray Hagley, who was a Marshall team physician, and his wife. 1. All Rights Reserved. "It made you wretch," Brunner said, "and I did several times.". The inspiring story even made it to the big screen in 2006. The airliner's crew was Captain Frank Abbot (47), First Officer Jerry Smith (28), plus two flight attendants. [16] The sculpture's designer, Harry Bertoia, created the $25,000 memorial that incorporated bronze, copper tubing, and welding rods. They left behind six children who were being babysat by Dan DAntoni, a 23-year-old assistant with the Marshall basketball program in 1970. So why would anyone living with all that baggage intentionally go up in the air? ". Not only that, she happened to be on a flight during 9/11. Mary Jane was the perfect coach's wife. It was raining hard, and he remembered seeing ambulances speeding past the group. She would just listen to the game on the radio. ". Frank got the whole team out and they went up and placed that Hokie Stone on the memorial. His body was not identified and he is buried with five other unidentified players in the Springhill Cemetery. A number of the victims are buried in a grave site in the Spring Hill Cemetery in Huntington; 20th Street between Joan C. Edwards Stadium, Marshall's current on-campus football stadium, and Spring Hill Cemetery was renamed Marshall Memorial Boulevard in honor of the crash victims. Lengyel, who came from a coaching job at the College of Wooster, was hired by the recently hired athletic director Joe McMullen, under whom he had previously worked at the University of Akron in the 1950s. A Tragic Plane Crash in 1970 Killed Most of Marshall's - Sportscasting On the 50th anniversary, they're both still around. On a rainy hill side in Wayne County, West Virginia, the lives of 75 people were lost in the worst single air tragedy in NCAA sports history. I had 75 angels there.". But the town came back.. The Tolleys loved their German Shepherd. "We'd always rode buses.". God's providence? "They were just so wonderful. Bear Bryant called Dawson, recommending them. "She was wonderful," Mary Jane Tolley said of Sturmisch. Special Collections 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. I didn't know what to do. It was donated to the university by Marshall fans and is attached to Joan C. Edwards Stadium on the west faade. The victims included 36 football players and 39 school administrators, coaches, fans, spouses and flight crew. 75 members, coaches, and fans were killed in November 1970 plane crash. During the 1970 college football season, Marshall suffered a devastating loss to East Carolina in week 9 to drop the Thundering Herd to 3-6 on the year. What good is it going to do anybody?' But that begs the very human question of why God spared him and not those on the plane? [16] The committee decided upon one major memorial within the campus, a plaque and memorial garden at Fairfield Stadium, and a granite cenotaph at the Spring Hill Cemetery; the Memorial Student Center was designated a memorial as well.[17]. I knew as soon as I saw the police car. Mom and her intuition won. He was 37. Most of his teammates were gone, forever. CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- 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 . Griffith died in the 1970 plane crash. It was a rainy night. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. "It was horrible because it was a non-ending funeral. "I kept thinking he [Arthur Sr.] would drive up in the car," said Maja Harris, Art Jr.s mother and Art Sr.s wife. [11] Dawson was a coach from the previous staff who had driven back from the East Carolina game along with Gail Parker, a freshman coach. A fireman on Nov. 15, 1970, looks over the wreckage of a DC-9 jet that crashed the day before on approach near a mountaintop airport a few miles from Huntington, W.Va. Bobby East, driver of the #21 Ford during the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, died Wednesday, July 13, 2022, after being fatally stabbed at a gas station in Westminster, Calif. At the time, freshmen couldnt play varsity sports in college. Charles A. He met with former Marshall coach Red Dawson, who gave away his seat on the plane that night. "I could hear the speeches and see what was going on [from behind the tree]," he said. If you play football at Marshall University, you have a role to make sure that's never forgotten.". One day, she rounded a corner in her house. The five Southern Airlines employees also died in the crash. "My wonder was, 'Why? Slezak believes Harris Sr. flew to the wrong city Greenville, South Carolina, instead of Greenville, North Carolina, where East Carolina is located. Tolley's grave was moved up there a few years ago. One of Dawson's greatest contributions may have been the recruiting of four African-American athletes out of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. "Oh sure, you ask yourself, 'Why did I miss it and all my friends and coaches were killed?' Im glad that were going to honor them for each year in this way from here on out.. Patricia Smith was adopted and eventually, after exhaustive research, tracked down the identity of her father at age 30. DeBord died in the 1970 plane crash. And then, after the game, if Slezak had been there, would that have deterred Art Sr. from getting on the plane? "Apparently, it was time God saw fit to call them.". Holliday wants to make a date to come out and hunt turkeys on Dawson's 400 acres outside of town. "It was just a little school in the hills," Mary Jane said. He was the offensive tackle. But I already knew. She graduated from Marshall in 1971. It has taken her more than a year. Charlie had given his wife a manifest before he left. Roy Slezak refuses to call it an anniversary. Marshall coach Rick Tolley demonstrating a move to team captain Dave Griffith, Mike Blake and Dave DeBord (left to right) in 1970. The rebuilding of the football program was the subject of the 2006 movie We are Marshall starting Matthew McConaughey. Prior to the state Senates unanimous vote Wednesday, the chamber held a moment of silence for the crash victims at the request of Upshur County Republican Sen. Bill Hamilton. A sign of renewed life. No one will ever know exactly how Harris Sr. ended up on the plane. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. William Alfred "Red" Dawson, Acting Head Coach, 1971 Young Thundering Herd MU Football team, 1st spring practice, April 1971, b&w. The Druid Four did and were all killed in the crash. If her husband was too hard-nosed or too tough, those notions were dispelled in the days after her world was turned upside down. This flight was the only flight that year for the Marshall University football team. DAntoni is now Marshalls basketball coach. "I took the phone, but Mrs. Shoebridge was crying hysterically. He was the Athletic Director for MU. 75 members, coaches, and fans were killed in November 1970 plane crash. Authorities continually brought "old charred things" to her hoping to gain the identity of victims. The victims included 36 football players and 39 school administrators, coaches, fans, spouses and flight crew. Anniversaries are supposed to be happy, Slezak said from his home in New Mexico. 16 and undefeated at 6-0. Members of the current team also visited a nearby cemetery, where six players from the 1970 team whose bodies were never identified were buried. She went to the premiere in a wheelchair prior to her first chemotherapy treatment. ", "I just generally felt we lost a great Hokie that day," Beamer said. "I didn't do anything except for fishing, hunting and construction work," he said. There were 64 children who became orphans after losing one or both parents on the flight. MU plane crash historical marker, Wayne County, W.Va., col. (low-res digital image only). As a 21-year-old newlywed senior cheerleader at Marshall, she read the news of the crash on the crawl at the bottom of a television screen. In fact, it was stronger than that. Carter can't recall how a Marshall assistant found his film in the late 1960s. All except team chaplain Robert Scott. Dawson and Parker were buying boiled peanuts at a country store in rural Virginia when they heard the news over the radio. Rick played football at nearby Virginia Tech. Near Huntington, West Virginia. Eventually, Rick won over their hearts and minds. Instead, the descent continued for another 300ft (91m) for unknown reasons, apparently without either crew member actually seeing the airport lights or runway. Its still considered the worst air disaster in American sports history. Harris, I have bad news.' 50 Years After: Remembering Marshall University's 1970 Plane Crash They met once a year, Red Dawson and the sycamore tree he picked out that was large enough to hide behind. A week later, he died at age 66 as a result of the injury. Some who were left off the flight, did not make the trip or lost loved ones spent the next five decades with crippling questions that had no answers. Frank Hall Abbott Jr. 18 Mar 1923 - 14 Nov 1970. 75 members, coaches, and fans were killed in November 1970 plane crash. "Happy" Heath, of Huntington, West Virginia, Elaine Lois Heath, of Huntington, West Virginia, James Jarrell, of Huntington, West Virginia, Cynthia Scott Leslie Jarrell, of Huntington, West Virginia, Kenneth Jones, of Huntington, West Virginia - WHTN-TV sports director, Charles E. Kautz - Athletic director of Marshall University, Eugene J. Morehouse - sports information director, Jeffrey P. Nathan, of Parksburg, West Virginia - sports editor of MU's student newspaper, Dr. Brian R. O'Connor, of Huntington, West Virginia - admissions director of Marshall University, Michael R. Prestera, delegate-elect to the West Virginia Legislature, Dr. Glenn Preston, of Huntington, West Virginia - Local dentist, Phyllis Jean Charles Preston, of Huntington, West Virginia, Dr. Herbert D. Proctor, of Huntington, West Virginia, Courtney Phillips Proctor, of Huntington, West Virginia, Murrill Ralsten, of Huntington, West Virginia - City councilman, Helen Ralsten, of Huntington, West Virginia, Parker Ward, of Huntington, West Virginia, Danny Deese, of Atlanta, Georgia - Charter coordinator, Copyright 2002 Check SixThis page last updated Saturday, August 25, 2018. with questions or comments about this web site. The two didn't get along, according to Dawson. 00:00 / 00:00. Because it was the Herd's only charter flight of the season, boosters and prominent citizens were on the plane, including a city councilman, a state legislator, and four physicians. "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. Among those who were not on the Marshall plane were Red Dawson, an assistant coach who was driving on a recruiting trip and was heading home when he learned about the crash. "Couldn't keep the tears out of my eyes. There is already a plot there for one more. W.Va. State historical marker 75 members, coaches, and fans were killed in November 1970 plane crash. Plane Crash Memorial - Special Collections Printing is not supported at the primary Gallery Thumbnail page. Bill to set annual remembrance for Marshall plane crash On the way down, he realized -- only by the light of a fire -- that the log was actually a body. All were on the travel squad list before the plane crash. He and the sycamore have aged well. Following its plane crash, Wichita State was granted similar permission to use freshmen on the varsity to resume its 1970 season. history.[6]. Every one of the 75 people on board died in the crash. While in the air, the plane struck a tree on a tall hill and crashed to the ground. [21] The ceremony featured guest speakers Dawson and Hardin. We Are Marshall.. Barry W. Nash, #35,1970 MU Football team, b&w. When Lengyel was hired as Tolley's replacement, Dawson stayed but only for a while. Just like winter leads to spring, these bad memories now lead us to, I think, a day of celebration, Woelfel said. Marshall University Plane Crash Memorial 10:00 am ET. "It was losing faith in these ministers. They had met in Roanoke, Virginia, where she taught. Sketch titled "America Weeps, Saturday Nov. 14, 1970." Does FSU or any ACC power actually have options? It really sort of shapes the fiber in you, of what you are.. She feared for his safety. That was an overwhelming responsibility.". ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? As part of an annual rite, the fountain was turned off at the end of the service and will be turned back on in the spring. "They were all crying, all these huge linemen," Mary Jane said. While Wichita State ended its football program in 1986, Marshall carried on. - The Yeti Airlines flight with 68. Dawson played tight end for Bill Peterson in the early 1960s at Florida State. There is still a hint of that strapping tight end's body. Without an official designation, she has become the best historian of the events of 50 years ago. "Al" Saylor, #88,1970 MU Football team, Charles Kautz, MU A/D and coaches, 1970 MU football team, Dave Griffith, #81, 1970 MU Football team. They did care a lot about him. Allen Gene Skeens, #59, 1970 MU Football team, b&w. Skeens was killed in the plane crash. All 75 people on board died. "As I listened to the scriptures," Carter said, "the Lord has purpose for each one of our lives.". The Hokies were in town to play the Herd. Trademarked and copyrighted images and insignia are the exclusive property of Marshall University. Not surprisingly, Call will be the keynote speaker at Saturday's memorial. Skeens was killed in the plane crash. A memorial bell tower is being planned for a location on WV 75 near exit 1 along Interstate 64. It was an impression he put in her heart. Wichita Falls is 1,100 miles from Huntington. He has followed Marshall football all his lifeand makes a video tribute for his friend every year. Memorial newspaper page from The Herald-Advertiser. There was no reason to be around. It is the center of activity of the campus. "For a long time, he couldn't handle it," Call said. The aircraft "dipped to the right, almost inverted, and had crashed into a hollow 'nose-first'". Dawson's brother had been recruited by Bryant, so there was a relationship. "The reason it's survivor's guilt is because so many people changed their mind at the last minute," Call said. He played Defensive end. They couldn't see. It is based upon ideas by John and Ann Krieger of Huntington. Football made sense to him.". "I was wondering when somebody is going to come up and say, 'You can't do that,' " Dawson said. By JOHN RABY February 15, 2023. Dave Griffith, #81, 1970 MU Football team, b&w. Mary Jane Tolley didn't go because the local veterinarian recommended she stay because the couple's dog was sick. With 37 players gone due to the horrific tragedy, the NCAA allowed Marshalls freshmen players to suit up the next season. Tragedy struck Marshall University more than a half-century ago, when most of the school's football program was involved in a plane crash . Dawson goes to games again. Marshall University. > Marshall won just two games, and the first winning season didnt come for another 13 years. Caption on back reads: "Saturday Nov. 14, 1970. Mary Jane was persistent. During that ceremony, Gilbert spoke eloquently about the 75 souls again. According to the official National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report, the accident was "unsurvivable". Tolley gladly gave Carter time off -- even bought him the plane ticket -- to travel back to bury his father. Without any particular reason, Carter stayed. "Nobody did anything. Classes at Marshall, along with numerous events and shows by the Marshall Artists Series (and the football team's game against the Ohio Bobcats), were cancelled and government offices were closed. Charlie Kautz was Marshall's athletic director in 1970. Digital Collections He became acting head coach in 1971, and formed the "Young Thundering Herd". New Bern, Craven County, North Carolina, USA . After the crash, Red Dawson helped bring together a group of players who were on the junior varsity football team during the 1970 season, as well as students and athletes from other sports, to form a 1971 football team.[12]. He said, No, you keep your commitment, that is what you do, there will be other games, Slezak said. "Lord, the first time they asked me to speak at the anniversary, I was a mess," Dawson said. [4], At the time, Marshall's athletic teams rarely traveled by plane, since most away games were within easy driving distance of the campus. Bill to set annual remembrance for Marshall plane crash Officials at the site of the Nov. 14, 1970, Marshall University plane crash at Tri-State Airport in Kenova, W.Va., secure a charred engine for removal to an airport hangar. "He had a great future in front of him. Hill died in the 1970 plane crash. Hewlett gave Carter a pamphlet titled, "Steps To Peace With God." Carter hardly knew anyone on the team who carried on. It's more than that, of course. })(); (aka "The Marshall University Football Team Crash"). [3] The team was returning home after a 1714 loss to the East Carolina Pirates at Ficklen Stadium in Greenville, North Carolina. Six weeks before the Marshall tragedy, a plane carrying members of the Wichita State football team crashed in Colorado, killing 31 people. Plymale said his mother was a professor at Marshall. Body unidentified and buried with five other unidentified players in Spring Hill Cemetery. briefly mourned after the 17-14 defeat, but what happened after the game shook the school and the town to its core. After suffering the loss to East Carolina on Nov. 14, 1970, a majority of the Marshall team boarded Southern Airlines Flight 932. " Carter said. Never defeated. "All of them were fighting and arguing over each other about whose fault it was. The opponent was scheduled to be East Carolinathe same team that defeated Marshall before the disaster took place. The two had breakfast together and talked for hours. Back rfeads: 1st MU practice Spring 1971, Coach Red Dawson. From there, he could see them talk, cry, even reminisce about the largest air disaster in United States sports history. A fireman on Nov. 15, 1970, looks over the wreckage of a DC-9 jet that crashed the day before on approach near a mountaintop airport a few miles from Huntington, W.Va. (Associated Press). This plaza and this fountain are the heart of Marshall University, university President Jerome Gilbert said. That begins to describe some of that enduring guilt.