The Lord watched over me so that he could save me and put me in the ministry to serve him.". Red Dawson was admittedly bitter. But for the university and the entire community, it left a huge void. "Kenova to dedicate crash memorial Monday." 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. If he had gone with Art Sr., would they have made the same mistake or would they have flown to the correct city? David Debord, #76, 1970 MU Football team, b&w. 75 members, coaches, and fans were killed in November 1970 plane crash. On Saturday, it will be Middle Tennessee State. On November 14, 1970, the team was flying back from a game against East Carolina. 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). Or would he have gotten on the plane himself? 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. Head coach Rick Tolley was among the crash victims. Art Harris, #22, 1970 MU Football team, b&w. Its still considered the worst air disaster in American sports history. New coach Jack Lengyel, Marshall University students, and Thundering Herd football fans convinced acting Marshall president, Donald N. Dedmon, to reconsider cancelling the program in late 1970. In its second season under head coach Rick Tolley, the team compiled a 36 record and was outscored by a total of 202 to 138. The ceremony was held by invitation-only due to the coronavirus pandemic and was made available online. The rest were pilots, crew, coaches, administrators, boosters and business leaders. DeBord died in the 1970 plane crash. Wayne County Democratic Sen. Robert Plymale was 15 at the time and was with friends in Kenova, near the airport. The decision had already been made regarding cheerleaders for that trip. His body was not identified and he is buried with five other unidentified players in the Springhill Cemetery. His life was spared that night a half century ago. They Are Marshall: 50 years after the plane crash, those closest to the The corresponding flight recorder shows that the craft descended another 220ft (67m) in elevation within these 12 seconds, and the co-pilot calls out "four hundred" and agrees with the pilot they are on the correct "approach." The victims included 36 football players and 39 school administrators, coaches, fans, spouses and flight crew. Sort By. 75 members, coaches, and fans were killed in November 1970 plane crash. Two years ago, Oliver, the personable quarterback, leaned back in a chair. Marshall Plane Crash Site Marker. "Anniversaries are supposed to be happy," Slezak said . Coach, 1971 Young Thundering Herd, Al Carelli, Jr., Assistant coach, 1970 MU Football team, Allen Gene Skeens, #59,1970 MU Football team, Barry W. Nash, #35, 1970 MU Football team, Bobby Joe Hill, #41, 1970 MU Football team, Center Dennis Foley (#55) centers ball to Bob Harris (#12),1970 MU Football team, Charles A. Scott Jenkins. [24], Marshall was scheduled to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the air disaster in their football season opener on August 29, 2020. Nobody went anywhere.". The college town agreed with him. 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?". Special Collections [8], The board made three recommendations as a result of this accident, including recommendations for heads-up displays, ground proximity warning devices, and surveillance and inspection of flight operations. 13,739 Plane Crash Victim Premium High Res Photos Another plaque memorializing the 1970 Marshall football team was unveiled at East Carolina University on the same day and can be seen at the guest team entrance of DowdyFicklen Stadium. (JACK BURNETT/AP) Of course, she misses her husband. Normally in that situation, the cheerleaders would draw straws to see who went. All 75 people on board died. "They were all crying, all these huge linemen," Mary Jane said. briefly mourned after the 17-14 defeat, but what happened after the game shook the school and the town to its core. history". The NCAA granted Marshall permission to use freshmen on the varsity squad, something which was not allowed at the time. Most of his teammates were gone, forever. Wichita Falls is 1,100 miles from Huntington. Joe Hood, Larry Sanders, Robert Van Horn and Freddy Wilson had come from Druid High School. There was no reason to be around. A sign of renewed life. The NCAA made an exception for the Thundering Herd. Kautz died in the 1970 plane crash. The aircraft was a 95-seat, twin-jet engine Douglas DC-9-30 with tail registration N97S. College Football Player, Plane Crash Victim. The event marked a boundary by which an entire community would forever . Not surprisingly, Call will be the keynote speaker at Saturday's memorial. Dawson noticed him wiping his eyes. Because of the intensity of the crash, officials were unable to identify six of the players remains. "Just a very smart guy. We'll look at what happened to the Marshall University football program as a . history.[6]. Memorial Fountain on the Marshall University campus, dedicated in 1972. White roses were laid by the fountain as each victims name was read at the ceremony. Then success occurred in streaks. Without any particular reason, Carter stayed. Dawson and Parker were buying boiled peanuts at a country store in rural Virginia when they heard the news over the radio. HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) Marshall University commemorated the 50th anniversary of one of the worst sports disasters in U.S. history Saturday, a plane crash that killed most of the football team. Page of 4. He was the offensive tackle. Roy Slezak refuses to call it an anniversary. 75 members, coaches, and fans were killed in November 1970 plane crash. When Lengyel was hired as Tolley's replacement, Dawson stayed but only for a while. Once again, on Saturday, Dawson will speak at the fountain ceremony. The airliner's crew was Captain Frank Abbot (47), First Officer Jerry Smith (28), plus two flight attendants. The House of Delegates passed the bill last month. At the time, freshmen couldnt play varsity sports in college. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. She has made it her responsibility to track down pictures of all 75 victims for Saturday's memorial. Carter will be thinking about "thanking the Lord for his grace and mercy, watching over me and sparing my life." 75 members, coaches, and fans were killed in November 1970 plane crash. Anniversaries are supposed to be happy, Slezak said from his home in New Mexico. It slipped out from underneath him, according to Dawson, and Oliver hit his head. Dave Griffith, #81, 1970 MU Football team, b&w. I never wanted to miss a chance to see Art play.. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. Her flight made it safely back to that same Tri-State Airport the Marshall plane never reached. Instead, the descent continued for another 300ft (91m) for unknown reasons, apparently without either crew member actually seeing the airport lights or runway. Plane Crash Memorial - Accident Report - Special Collections 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. As a memorial to the 75 victims, the Marshall players wore the number 75 on their helmets. All were on the travel squad list before the plane crash. 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. 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. "At 1 o'clock in the morning, a detective came to the door. One John Marshall Drive,
Holliday wants to make a date to come out and hunt turkeys on Dawson's 400 acres outside of town. (JACK BURNETT/AP), "We carry on the legacy for them, but even after all those who were personally connected are gone, those guys still deserve to be remembered because it's just a travesty, what happened. > It's categorized as a symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). William Alfred "Red" Dawson, Acting Head Coach, 1971 Young Thundering Herd MU Football team, 1st spring practice, April 1971, b&w. Fifty-two years ago, Huntington, West Virginia, was home to what has been called the worst disaster in United States sports history. "[7] The airliner left Stallings Field at Kinston, North Carolina, and the flight proceeded to Huntington without incident. In fact, it was stronger than that. They couldn't take the tough routine. Its not an anniversary, but its a day to remember. "Apparently, it was time God saw fit to call them.". _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); "Shoulda, coulda, woulda.". Among the 75 who perished were 36 players. There's no evidence any of those left behind were ever formally diagnosed with survivor's guilt, but you can hear it directly or indirectly when the incident is spoken about. Slezak went to visit Marshall in 2011, saying it was on his bucket list. But I already knew. "He didn't tell anyone what he was going to do until the last minute," Hamrick said. In 2000, at age 50, Call became a flight attendant with USAir Express. Plymales mother attended a funeral in North Carolina, and her family became close friends with the victims family. _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-16729709-1']); This site is a memorial to the lives that were lost on that evening; to honor those men and women who made a mark in the hearts of a school, a community and a nation. Pure chance, some cases. She spoke of her husband's early days as an assistant at Ferrum Junior College in Virginia. After a year as Wake Forest's defensive line coach, Tolley was hired at Marshall in 1969. "[7]:36 At least one source says that water that had seeped into the plane's altimeter could have thrown off its height readings, leading the pilots to believe the plane was higher than was actually the case. Art Shannon, #34, 1970 MU Football team, b&w. But football quickly drained from him after the crash. 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. 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. var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; "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. Marshall football plane crash was 50 years ago, but victim's friend can't forget that day. Mary Jane was persistent. "He said: 'Your husband is in the plane, too.' Charles Kautz, MU A/D and coaches, 1970 MU football team, b&w. Gallery: Victims of the 1970 Marshall Plane Crash [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]. Gone were sons, fathers, mothers, classmates and fraternity brothers. His body could not be identified, and with five other players, they were all buried. Charles A. Hewlett gave Carter a pamphlet titled, "Steps To Peace With God." One day, the wife of the head coach was in class. All six players would later be put to rest underground at the Spring Hill Cemetery just near Marshall University. Marshall University,
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. [15], Marshall University President John G. Barker and Vice President Dedmon appointed a memorial committee soon after the crash. "Where nobody could see me," Dawson said of his hiding spot. "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. And then, after the game, if Slezak had been there, would that have deterred Art Sr. from getting on the plane? longitude." A mass funeral was held at the field house and many of the dead were buried at the Spring Hill Cemetery, some together because bodies were not identifiable. The Real Story Behind We Are Marshall - HowStuffWorks The late Jack Hardin, then a Huntington Herald-Dispatch reporter, once recalled stepping over a log on his way up the hill to cover the story. Couldn't keep my voice straight. Authorities continually brought "old charred things" to her hoping to gain the identity of victims. (East Carolina is located nearby in Greenville.) Mary Jane was the perfect coach's wife. When it came time to return, Carter's mother Sarah urged him to stay at home. "As I listened to the scriptures," Carter said, "the Lord has purpose for each one of our lives.". Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Ferrum won the national junior college championship his first year there in 1965. That's German for "stormy." "I was wondering when somebody is going to come up and say, 'You can't do that,' " Dawson said. "We stayed friends forever," Dawson said proudly. Nash died in the 1970 plane crash. This is not what you wanted to hear. He was an incredible all-around athlete. His football will didn't come back quickly, but something has changed over the years. The actual damage was incalculable. "God has a time for each one of us," Carter said. Marshall decided to continue the football program. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. Home Four of the crash victims were students in her class, and Marshall faculty were sent to attend the funerals. Marshall coach Rick Tolley demonstrating a move to team captain Dave Griffith, Mike Blake and Dave DeBord (left to right) in 1970. There were injured players who stayed behind. Body unidentified and buried with five other unidentified players in Spring Hill Cemetery. The 1970 Marshall Thundering Herd football team was an American football team that represented Marshall University as an independent during the 1970 NCAA University Division football season. My Account MU plane crash historical marker, Wayne County, W.Va., col. (low-res digital image only). MU_PLANE_CRASH. She graduated from Marshall in 1971. Insurance agents were annoying. We didn't have children, so she was like a child. To this day, she isn't satisfied. There is still a hint of that strapping tight end's body. (aka "The Marshall University Football Team Crash") November 14th, 1970. Skeens was killed in the plane crash. 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. 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. 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. Thats what we are doing today.. "I believe I want to be buried up there with my boys," Dawson said. 75 members, coaches, and fans were killed in November 1970 plane crash. [4] The controllers advised the crew that "rain, fog, smoke and a ragged ceiling" were at the airport, making landing more difficult, but possible. She never could explain it other than saying God had spoken to her. So why would anyone living with all that baggage intentionally go up in the air? 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. The pair were listening to country music when the bulletin came across that a plane had crashed in Huntington. "He definitely had pro potential, no question," formerPassaiccoach John Federici, told The Record in 2001. The report also noted that the craft approached the Catlettsburg Refinery in the final 30 seconds before impact, which "could haveaffecteda visual illusion produced by the difference in the elevation of the refinery and the airport," which was nearly 300ft (91m) higher than the refinery, with hills in between. Memorial at Spring Hill Cemetery in Huntington, West Virginia to the victims of the 1970 plane crash. | It's more than that, of course. | Beamer was at his wife-to-be's home that November night. Lives were shattered. People would come to the house and say this was meant to happen. Druid High School football players sign grants-in-aid with Marshall in the spring of 1969. And on Saturday, the 16th-ranked football team won, defeating Middle Tennessee 42-14. "They were just so wonderful. "Red," Call said recently, "where you going to be buried?". They even won a couple of games. He recalled talking at length with some of his counterparts at Wichita State, and how they leaned on each other for support. Featured speakers were Chancellor Steve Ballard, Athletic Director Terry Holland, Pirates' broadcaster Jeff Charles, and Marshall president, Stephen Kopp. "My wonder was, 'Why? A memorial fountain will be turned off the same time it is every year only to be turned back on in the spring. I dont know what to call it.. Slezak has realized how fickle life can be. His body was not identified and he is buried with five other unidentified players in the Springhill Cemetery. A travesty.". 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. In its second season under head coach Rick Tolley . He was the Athletic Director for MU. They arrived shortly before sunrise. "Straightforward, old time" is how Dawson described him. Bill to set annual remembrance for Marshall plane crash The return became the subject of the film, "We Are Marshall". It was real big-time negligence. Mary Jane Tolley didn't go because the local veterinarian recommended she stay because the couple's dog was sick. [3] The team was returning home after a 1714 loss to the East Carolina Pirates at Ficklen Stadium in Greenville, North Carolina. Art could have played professional baseball or professional football.. "It was losing faith in these ministers. Private. [2], The original proposal to charter the flight was refused because it would exceed "the takeoff limitations of their aircraft". It has been so long that the tragedy has been memorialized that Marshall athletic director Mike Hamrick has calculated that the date falls on a Saturday every seven years. To be honest, when she told me, I didn't believe her because we had never had a plane trip.". The Harris family detailed thatevening in a 1995 article in The Record. "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. 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 . It went beyond physical damage. The two played in the same defensive backfield for Virginia Tech in the late 1960s. Artwork by Eugene Payne, Staff Artist, The Charlotte Observer, Charlotte, N.C.". They further stated, "The Board has been unable to determine the reason for this [greater] descent, although the two most likely explanations are (a) improper use of cockpit instrumentation data, or (b) an altimetry system error. Carter wants everyone to know God chose him to survive for that purpose. The team and residents of the town still gather together every year in memorial of the fallen fellows. 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. briefly mourned after the 17-14 defeat, but what happened after the game shook the school and the town to its core. Among the losses were nearly the entire Marshall University football team, coaches, flight crew, numerous fans, and supporters. "[7] The remains of six passengers were never identified. Across the nation, many expressed their condolences. He said, 'What the hell is going on with Virginia Tech?' Dawson hopes it goes as well as last year. No one could have imagined how deep a downward spiral Marshall University's football program would face in the late 1960's. 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. Harris Jr. was named to The Bergen Records All-Century team for Passaic County. 1970 Marshall Thundering Herd football team - Wikipedia Digitized University Archives Collections. He was also the offensive line coach. The bill establishes that Nov. 14 will become a special memorial day in remembrance of the crash. [16], Every year, on the anniversary of the crash, the fountain is shut off during a commemorative ceremony and not activated again until the following spring. He said, No, you keep your commitment, that is what you do, there will be other games, Slezak said. I couldn't go to all of them. 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. [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. Back then, Bowden was the wide receivers coach. Roy Slezak refuses to call it an anniversary. During that ceremony, Gilbert spoke eloquently about the 75 souls again. [13][14], The Marshall University football team only won two games during the 1971 season, against Xavier and Bowling Green. The dog's name was Sturmisch. Back rfeads: 1st MU practice Spring 1971, Coach Red Dawson. God's providence? They stayed in Marshall for a fundraising event. "At 21, you haven't been familiar with death. Bill to set annual remembrance for Marshall plane crash Spring Hill Cemetery, site of the Marshall Memorial for the 75 plane crash victims. The plane descended below the Minimum Descent Altitude, striking trees on a hillside about one mile from the runway. 128 Marshall Plane Crash Premium High Res Photos - Getty Images They met once a year, Red Dawson and the sycamore tree he picked out that was large enough to hide behind. I made a promise to Mrs. Harris that he would never be forgotten.. Tolley's grave was moved up there a few years ago. On the 50th anniversary, they're both still around. Her recollections of the crash's aftermath are split. "Couldn't keep the tears out of my eyes. Center Dennis Foley (#55) centers ball to Bob Harris (#12) in a scrimmage,1970 MU Football team, b&w. Among the losses were nearly the entire Marshall University football team, coaches, flight crew, numerous fans, and supporters. "You sissy," 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.