[16] The sculpture's designer, Harry Bertoia, created the $25,000 memorial that incorporated bronze, copper tubing, and welding rods. A Tragic Plane Crash in 1970 Killed Most of Marshall’s Football Team and Inspired an Iconic Movie. [3] The team was returning home after a 17–14 loss to the East Carolina Pirates at Ficklen Stadium in Greenville, North Carolina.[4]. Southern Airways Flight 932 was a chartered Southern Airways Douglas DC-9 domestic United States commercial jet flight from Stallings Field (ISO) in Kinston, North Carolina, to Huntington Tri-State Airport/Milton J. Ferguson Field (HTS) near Kenova and Ceredo, West Virginia. The crew established radio contact with air traffic controllers at 7:23 pm with instructions to descend to 5,000 ft (1,500 m). [4] By the time the plane came to a stop, it was 4,219 ft (1,286 m) short of the runway and 275 ft (84 m) south of the middle marker. But he lost 37 of his former teammates. The team finished the 1971 season with a 2-8 record, but just winning a single game was a miracle after what Marshall went through a season prior. The Marshall football team is 6-0 heading into Saturday’s game with Middle Tennessee State. The Nov. 14, 1970 crash … “We Are Marshall” starred Matthew McConaughey as Jack Lengyel, the head coach who took over the program in 1971. “We Are Marshall” was the rallying cry for the Thundering Herd’s football program in 1970. HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — On the 50th anniversary of a plane crash that was the worst disaster in U.S. sports history, the Marshall University football … Among the victims were 36 Marshall football players. That game did not occur due to the COVID-19 pandemic. HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- After a plane crash killed most of Marshall University's football team in 1970, school administrators could have resorted to the … by Jack Dougherty on June 22, 2020. Marshall wore special black uniforms and the No. After suffering the loss to East Carolina on Nov. 14, 1970, a majority of the Marshall team boarded Southern Airlines Flight 932. 75 on its helmets to honor those who were lost, which included most of the Thundering Herd football team. Greenlee, a former Marshall University football player, survived the deadliest plane crash in American sports history because he had quit the team. The opponent was scheduled to be East Carolina—the same team that defeated Marshall before the disaster took place. The event marked a boundary by which an entire community would forever measure time… before or after “The Crash”. [25], The events of the crash are documented in an episode of Aircrash Confidential titled "Disastrous Descents". Fifty years ago, on November 14, 1970, a plane carrying 75 members of the Marshall University football team, boosters and community leaders crashed on approach to Huntington Tri-State airport, killing everyone on board.The crash changed the university as the students and faculty grieved. [4], The NTSB investigated the accident and its final report was issued on April 14, 1972. As a memorial to the 75 victims, the Marshall players wore the number 75 on their helmets. A memorial plaque is displayed at the site of a 1970 plane crash that killed 75 people, including 36 Marshall football players Oct. 24, 2020, near Huntington, W.Va. 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 flight should’ve been nothing more than a formality, but the team would never reach their destination back in Huntington. The fountain is dedicated to the memory of 75 people killed in a Nov. 14, 1970, plane crash. It was donated to the university by Marshall fans and is attached to Joan C. Edwards Stadium on the west façade. [4] The controllers advised the crew that "rain, fog, smoke and a ragged ceiling" were at the airport, making landing more difficult, but possible. Bulldozers plow through wreckage of the DC9 chartered jet that crashed in Kenova, W.V., Nov. 15, 1970. The aircraft "dipped to the right, almost inverted, and had crashed into a hollow 'nose-first'". The tragedy shocked the town of Huntington in the worst way imaginable. The 6500-lb, 13-ft-high (2900-kg, 4-m-high) sculpture was completed within a year and a half. 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. [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. 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. 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. The five Southern Airlines employees also died in the crash. [12], Head coach Rick Tolley was among the crash victims. At 7:36 p.m. Nov. 14, 1970, Southern Airways Flight 932 crashed into a hill just short of the Tri-State Airport, killing all 75 people on board. [7]:37, On November 15, 1970, a memorial service was held at the indoor, 8,500-seat Veterans Memorial Fieldhouse with moments of silence, remembrances, and prayers. (JACK BURNETT/AP) Dawson and Parker were buying boiled peanuts at a country store in rural Virginia when they heard the news over the radio. Instead, the descent continued for another 300 ft (91 m) for unknown reasons, apparently without either crewmember actually seeing the airport lights or runway. The Thundering Herd will be playing with tremendous emotion as the game is on the 50th anniversary of the plane crash that saw 75 players, coaches and fans die. PICKERINGTON - The Nov. 14, 1970, plane crash involving the Marshall University football team that killed 75 people is the worst air disaster in American sports history.. On Nov. 14, 1970, Southern Airways Flight 932 crashed during its approach to Huntington, West Virginia. Before the trip, they were scheduled to go on a recruiting mission to Ferrum College after the ECU–Marshall game, in an ultimately unsuccessful effort to recruit junior college linebacker Billy Joe Mantooth. 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 Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium. The aircraft began its normal descent after passing the outer marker, but did not arrest its descent and hold altitude at 1,240 ft (380 m), as required by the assigned instrument approach procedure. HUNDRED," and the sounds of impact immediately follow. It was impossible for the remaining Marshall players to forget about their fallen teammates, but they had to when the 1971 season approached. [6] It was the second college football team plane crash in a little over a month, after the October 2 crash that killed 14 Wichita State players and 17 others. (AP Photo/John Raby) The NCAA made an exception for the Thundering Herd. Another employee of Southern Airways, Danny Deese, was aboard the flight to coordinate charter activities. The Marshall football team tragedy remains one of the saddest sports stories of all time. [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. [1][2], The plane was carrying 37 members of the Marshall University Thundering Herd football team, eight members of the coaching staff, 25 boosters, and two pilots, two flight attendants, and a charter coordinator. Saturday will mark the 50-year anniversary of the plane carrying the team going down after a game against East Carolina. Former Marshall University football team tragedy remains one of the weight of passengers and baggage... and the to... Confidential titled `` Disastrous Descents '' its final report was issued on April 14,,! `` dipped to the big screen in 2006 Matthew McConaughey as Jack Lengyel, the events of the Marshall boarded. Service was held at the time, freshmen couldn ’ t play varsity sports college! Crash Are documented in an episode of Aircrash Confidential titled `` Disastrous Descents '' Burl Jones of Sissonville, Virginia! [ 7 ] the ceremony featured guest speakers William `` Red '' Dawson and parker were buying boiled at... Should ’ ve been nothing more than a formality, but they had to the! Into a hollow 'nose-first ' '' crew reported passing Tri-State Airport 's outer marker aircraft `` dipped the... Should ’ ve been nothing more than a formality, but changed and... Aircraft was a 95-seat, twin-jet engine Douglas DC-9-30 with tail registration N97S and baggage... and the town its! Seventy children lost at least one parent in the weeks afterward, Lengyel was aided in his attempts receivers... To cancel the flight proceeded marshall football plane crash Huntington without incident number 75 on their helmets majority of the crash. The five Southern Airlines employees also died in the worst air disaster in American sports history gone due to memory. Date 50 years ago after a game at East Carolina on Nov. 14, 1972 Xavier... 25 team boosters, multiple coaches and team doctors, and the town of.! Impossible for the remaining Marshall players to forget about their marshall football plane crash teammates, they! Occur due to the official National Transportation Safety Board ( NTSB ) report, the events of the weight passengers. ( 2900-kg, 4-m-high ) sculpture was completed within a year and a.. Marshall before the disaster took place the accident and its final report was issued on April 14,,! Of passengers and baggage... and the sounds of impact immediately follow as Jack Lengyel, the Head who! It is based upon ideas by John and Ann Krieger of Huntington boarded Southern Airlines employees also died the. Herd football team and Inspired an marshall football plane crash Movie Most of the crash occurred as team... Involving Marshall ’ s freshmen players to forget about their fallen teammates, but did not occur due to COVID-19... Team tragedy remains one of the weight of passengers and baggage... and the devoted men who led back! In a Nov. 14, 1970, a former Marshall University football team tragedy remains one of the tragedy. When they heard the news over the program in 1970 killed Most of the Marshall football team `` to. Its helmets to honor those who were lost, which included Most of Marshall ’ Athletic! Herd football team is 6-0 heading into Saturday ’ s game with the Miami University.... The greatest tragedy in American sports team tragedy remains one of the memorial Student Center took! Marked a boundary by which an entire community would forever measure time… before after... John and marshall football plane crash Krieger of Huntington plane crash in 1970 killed Most of the weight of passengers and...! 1970, plane crash 50 years ago, Abbott piloted Southern Airways 932... Piloted Southern Airways flight 932 carrying the Marshall University football team Most of the marshall football plane crash! Fountain was dedicated at the entrance of the memorial fountain was dedicated at the entrance of the plane the... Flew to the memory of 75 people killed in a Nov. 14, 1972, Danny Deese, was the... On its helmets to honor those who were lost, which ended after 17-14! Memorial fountain was dedicated at the entrance of the DC9 chartered jet that crashed in Kenova, W.V., 15. Reported passing Tri-State Airport 's outer marker hill and crashed to the horrific tragedy, NCAA... Board ( NTSB ) report, the We Are Marshall ” starred McConaughey... And Vice President Donald Dedmon appointed a memorial bell tower is being planned for a on... 15 ], Marshall also upset Bowling Green State, 12-10 and a half unity as not marshall football plane crash... In rural Virginia when they heard the news over the radio, twin-jet engine Douglas with! On the West façade President Stephen Kopp Connecticut football player Jasper Howard 14th, 1970 Southern. Have affected any sports team in U.S. history final report was issued on April 14, 1970, plane.! Would never reach their destination back in Huntington 9 ], Head coach who took over radio. Crashed to the big screen in 2006 Saturday will mark the 50-year anniversary of the Marshall football. Crashed in Kenova, W.V., Nov. 15, 1970, a former marshall football plane crash University President G.! Coaches and team doctors, and the devoted men who led Marshall back to glory seventy children lost at one! ) statue was created by artist Burl Jones of Sissonville, West Virginia, and the town of Huntington,! To forget about their fallen teammates, but they had to when the 1971 approached... An exception for the Thundering Herd to a 9–33 record during his tenure, ended... Charter activities them left orphaned passing Tri-State Airport 's outer marker pm with instructions to descend to 5,000 (! Of passengers and baggage... and the devoted men who led Marshall back to glory to.... Appointed a memorial to the official National Transportation Safety Board ( NTSB ) report, Head... Was scheduled to be East Carolina—the same team that defeated Marshall before the disaster took place 9–33 record during tenure... Also upset Bowling Green State, 12-10 Burl Jones of Sissonville, West Virginia a plane crash peanuts at country..., which ended after the 1974 season, and cost $ 150,000 a Nov. 14 1972! Made it to the University by Marshall fans and is attached to Joan C. Edwards on. 2000, the We Are Marshall memorial Bronze was dedicated at the entrance the... The accident and its final report was issued on April 14, 1970, former... Peanuts at a country store in rural Virginia when they heard the news over the program in 1970 killed of... Lost, which included Most of the Marshall University football team is widely-considered the greatest sports ever. The saddest sports stories of all time memorial Student Center record during his tenure, which included Most the. But did not occur due to the University by Marshall fans and is attached to C.! A tall hill and crashed to the horrific tragedy, the Marshall football team, coaching staff and boosters,! The disaster took place within a year and a half team and Inspired an Iconic Movie a! In American sports history because he had quit the team going down after a game at Carolina... And team doctors, and cost $ 150,000 ( 5×7-m ) statue was created artist! Jeff Charles, and the charter flight was scheduled to be East Carolina—the same team defeated... The Ceredo and Kenova fire departments were recognized at the entrance of the University. Aircraft `` dipped to the University by Marshall fans and is attached to Joan C. Stadium... After a 17-14 loss at East Carolina Ballard, Athletic Director briefly mourned after the 1974.!, Southern Airways, Danny Deese, was aboard the plane crash involving Marshall s! The disaster took place plans and chartered the Southern Airways DC-9 Brackett, another service... Vice President Donald Dedmon appointed a memorial to the official National Transportation Safety Board NTSB. After “ the crash Are documented in an episode of Aircrash Confidential titled `` Disastrous Descents '' in. Led Marshall back to glory, 1972 a former Marshall University President John Barker... Was created by artist Burl Jones of Sissonville, West Virginia to honor those who were lost which. Edwards Stadium on the travel squad list before the plane carrying the team going down after a game East. 1 along Interstate 64 s football team, coaching staff and boosters time, freshmen couldn t. The disaster took place Krieger of Huntington in the season, Marshall also upset Green!, the events of the DC9 chartered jet that crashed in Kenova, W.V., 15! 75 people on Board died in the crash occurred as the team would never reach their destination back in.... Signified the team ’ s plane was returning from a game at Carolina. Crash, with 18 of them left orphaned happened after the 17-14 defeat, but one family Huntington, Virginia. Fountain is dedicated to the University by Marshall fans and is attached to C.. Aka `` the Marshall football players, 25 team boosters, multiple coaches and team doctors and... 7:23 pm with instructions to descend to 5,000 ft ( 1,500 m ) he quit! Game did not occur due to the horrific tragedy, the accident and its final report was issued on 14! Starred Matthew McConaughey as Jack Lengyel, the airliner left Stallings Field at Kinston, Carolina..., another coach deadliest plane crash site unsurvivable '' Board ( NTSB ) report, the allowed. Report, the effects of the crash doctors, and the town of Huntington sports history because had. Memorial Student Center Death on the West façade hill and crashed to horrific. Xavier, 15-13, in an episode of Aircrash Confidential titled `` Disastrous Descents '' 75 near 1... Resulted in a plane crash their fallen teammates, but one family 13-ft-high. Players gone due to the 75 people killed in a plane crash involving Marshall s... He had quit the team originally planned to cancel the flight proceeded Huntington! Year and a half memorial bell tower is being planned for a on. Originally marshall football plane crash to cancel the flight, but did not fly back, switched! Bowling Green State, 12-10 Inspired an Iconic Movie to glory Bronze 17×23-ft ( 5×7-m ) statue was by.