Understanding the 1970 Wichita State football plane crash Two planes carrying Wichita State University football players, coaches, administrators and fans refueled on Oct. 2, 1970, in. The team was known as Fairmount from its first season in 1897 to 1925 and Wichita from 1926 through 1963. The Shockers only points were scored in the first quarter on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Tom Owen to Eddie Plopa. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. Trainer Tom Reeves and athlete John Taylor died later in hospitals after suffering burns. We need your support. Q: How did the Black plane reach Utah safely? Portrait of John Yeros near the site of a plane crash near Loveland Pass, Colo., on Thursday, August 27, 2010. The Gold plane was taking a more scenic route, but the pilot encountered difficulty and was unable to pull the overweight aircraft out of a canyon. As a matter of policy, Sports Reference only reports the results of games as played on the field. Wichita waving white flag on Fourth of July skyrockets | Opinion, Wichita man sentenced for murdering 19-year-old who tried to steal $450 worth of marijuana, Kansas State at West Virginia could have major Big 12 Tournament seed implications, AAC tournament seeding on the line for Wichita State basketball: a look at tiebreakers, The bizarre stats the Wichita State basketball team finished with in loss to Houston, Turnovers spoil valiant road effort for Wichita State basketball in loss to No. The crash claimed the lives of 31 members of the Wichita State University football team. | Opinion, Rare critter eluded Kansas biologists for years. The future of the 1970 football season was in doubt, with the decision lying in the Conrad Downing, Sports Information Director, Dale Mullen, Wichita Beacon sports writer, Bob Seaman, Coaching Staff - Offensive Coordinator. But, the DC-6 was damaged so the aviation company opted to use two Martin 4-0-4 aircraft. www.kansas.com/sports/college/wichita-state/, Those left behind mourned and built new lives, A beautiful fall day then an ominous sound, Pilot steadfast in denying fault: Someone needed to be blamed, The years drive a wedge between survivors linked by tragedy, 1970 healing process began on a Saturday night in Little Rock, Former Utah State player still feels linked to Shockers, Former WSU player Rick Stephens rides to remember friends who died, Photos: Crash survivor and friends honor victims in Colorado, Bob Lutz: Bob Seaman kept Shocker football going in the wake of 1970s tragic plane crash, Payton Tolle delivers one of the best two-way games in Wichita State baseball history, About that bloody fetus picture you found on your car . We will use old editions of the "Arkansas Recruiting Report" compiled by Otis Kirk during the 1990s, as well as newspaper reports accessed via microfilm, oral stories and other sources. Maybe they should leave it just the way it is.. (AP file photo) This Oct. 2, 1970, file photo shows wreckage of a plane that carried members of the Wichita State University football team, in Silver Plume, Colo. Rusted and ragged pieces of . The National Transportation Safety Board issued this executive summary, The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the intentional operation of the aircraft over a mountain valley route at an altitude from which the aircraft could neither climb over the obstructing terrain ahead, nor execute a successful course reversal. Aboard the plane were the Marshall University football team, coaching staff and boosters. So I went out back and here was this big plane flying up the canyon really low. At Wichita State, our students are the engine of innovation, with a collaborative infrastructure that helps develop new ideas, and get new projects and businesses off the ground. According to history.com, on the plane were 37 football players, head coach Rick Tolley, team doctors, the university athletic director and 25 football boosters from the Huntington, W.Va. community. Do you have a sports website? Two planes carrying Wichita State University football players, coaches, administrators and fans refueled on Oct. 2, 1970, in Denver. A sardine dinner proved irresistible, Drunken pyros unite! (What's happening with the Arkansas Razorbacks? On September 12, Wichita State opened its season with a 4114 loss to Gene Stallings' Texas A&M Aggies before a crowd of 30,006 in College Station, Texas. The "Gold" plane, a Martin 404, carried 36 passengers and a crew of four. Marvin Brown, 19, Solomon, sophomore tailback, Don Christian, 20, Duncan, Okla., junior defensive back, John Duren, 19, Oklahoma City, sophomore end, Ron Johnson, 21, Kansas City, Mo., senior safety, Randy Kiesau, 20, Clinton, Okla., junior defensive back, Mal Kimmel, 21, St. Genevieve, Mo., senior center, Carl Krueger, 19, Chicago, sophomore tackle, Steve Moore, 21, Derby, senior linebacker, Tom Owen, 20, Temple Terrace, Fla., junior running back, Gene Robinson, 21, Dayton, Ohio, junior end, Tom Shedden, 20, Oklahoma City, junior tackle, Richard Stines, 19, Kansas City, Kan., sophomore guard, John Taylor, 21, Sherman, Texas, senior cornerback, Jack Vetter, 21, McPherson, senior tackle. Reeves died Oct. 5 in a Wheat Ridge, Colo., hospital. Tragedy struck the Aggies before the 1970 season as all-SWC defensive end Mike DeNiro died in a car crash. Hugh McElroy, who that week became the . Steam floated off their sweat-drenched heads, and a holler could be heard for the water boy. (AP Photo/File)AP. On April 15, 2020, it was announced that the Kansas Board of Regents had given Wichita State University permission to demolish Cessna Stadium, the former home of the school's football team. This article uses material from the Wikipedia article 1970 Wichita State Shockers football team, and is written by contributors. The 2006 movie, We Are Marshall, depicted the aftermath of the crash. He conducted a memorial service and wrote Homecoming Prayer, which was read at the first home game after the crash. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. The team compiled a 09 record (04 against conference opponents), finished last out of five teams in the MVC, and was outscored by a total of 381 to 99. The plane crashed on Mount Trelease, west of Denver in the Arapaho National Forest. He died two days later. On Saturday, Nov. 14, 1970, a plane carrying members of the Marshall University Thundering Herd football team and coaching staff crashed in West Virginia killing all 75 people on board and plunging the university and community into grief. Bob Seaman took over as head coach after the crash. Without football, the Shockers' basketball program has become a powerhouse. Valley Conference. ABC televised the event with Monty Hall as host. Harmon, the first female member of the Shocker Sports Hall of Fame, worked as executive secretary, fieldhouse director, academic counselor and assistant to the athletic director. Caden Henderson NCAA Stats Splits: Stat Type: Pace Adjusted Season View Wichita State was playing its first game since head coach Ben Wilson, athletic director Bert Katzenmeyer, 14 players and 15 other people died in a plane crash on Oct. 2, 1970 en route to a game at Utah State. A: The Wichita Eagle archives many stories and pictures from its coverage at www.kansas.com/sports/college/wichita-state/. [11], In the final game of the season, the Shockers took a 170 lead over Lee Corso's bowl-bound Louisville Cardinals. However, the surviving members of the team voted 76-to-1 to complete the 1970 schedule. A list of the 31 people killed in the Wichita State football plane crash on Oct. 2, 1970. Few times has a home crowd openly cheered for the visitors. [17], In 2006, Wichita Mayor Carlos Mayans proposed to use public funds to restart the football program at Wichita State. 24 with the University of Arkansas Razorbacks in Little Rock at the War Memorial Stadium. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. Learn more and register, College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com Blog and Articles. Or write about sports? The unfortunate loss of 31 fine individuals deserves to be remembered.. They reached the Final Four in 2013 and finished the 2013-14 regular season with a perfect 31-0 record. Taylor,. it with us, please let us know. Or write about sports? Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Head coach Ben Wilson, 14 players, and 16 others died on October 2 in the Wichita State University football team plane crash. at the scene. Coach Bob Seaman Wichita States offensive coordinator took over as coach, a job he held until 1973, when athletic director Ted Bredehoft fired him. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. All 75 on board were killed. This story was originally published October 1, 2015, 12:36 PM. The 1970 team had a 3-6. The 1970 Wichita Shockers football team was an American football team that represented Wichita State University as a member of the Missouri Valley Conference during the 1970 NCAA University Division football season. Texas A&M Sports Information. Preview pages of the 1970 yearbook from West High School from Wichita, Kansas online. Full Wichita State Shockers roster for the 2022-23 season including position, height, weight, birthdate, years of experience, and college. 31 people were killed. However, the score took a backseat in this game. Its just something you live with all the time. However, the Cardinals came back to win the game by a 3424 score.[12]. Wichita's freshman quarterback Rick Baher also threw two touchdown passes, and John Potts kicked a 47-yard field goal. Find out more. Q: How is the Wichita State crash connected to Marshall University in West Virginia? The event was organized by former Wichita State player John Potts and former Arkansas player Chuck Dicus, according to The Wichita Eagle. 2005-2023 CBS INTERACTIVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Register for free to see them all, or buy a printed copy of yearbooks from West High School from Wichita, Kansas today. Naputano was one of four players who led the team onto the field in the spring of 1971 the others were Felix Jordan, Ed Carter and Nate Ruffin. The team compiled a 09 record (04 against conference opponents), finished last out of five teams in the MVC, and was outscored by a total of 381 to 99. [38] The remaining portion of the schedule was designated the "second season. It wasnt a great team to begin with. 9-ranked football team the Arkansas Razorbacks. On May 16, 2009 the Wichita State University alumni association held an all football players reunion at Cessna Stadium. Wichita State cancelled its games against Utah State (Oct. 3) and Southern Illinois (Oct. 10) and moved its game against Cincinnati from Oct. 17 to Oct. 31. We will take a step back in time and look back at something that happened in Razorbacks history. The Shockers voted 76-1 to continue the season against Arkansas in Little Rock. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. Dubbed the "Second Season," Wichita State took 46 players 39 of them freshmen and sophomores to Little Rock to face No. Withers, according to the story, hooked up with junior defensive end Pete Naputano, who also stayed behind while nursing a biceps injury. Randy Jackson, fullback, Atlanta, Texas - escaped through a hole in the fuselage; hospitalized in serious condition after the crash with deep lacerations on his face and multiple bruises; Glenn Kostal, linebacker, Chicago - dug his way out from under a pile of debris, dirt and tree limbs and crawled through a rip in the fuselage; sustained a broken leg, Dave Lewis, lineman, Duncan, Oklahoma - listed in satisfactory condition after the crash, Rick Baehr, led the team with 513 passing yards, Don Gilley, led the team with 290 rushing yards and 12 points scored, Bill Moore, led the team with 12 receptions and 175 receiving yards, This page was last edited on 19 January 2023, at 23:20. The visiting Shockers fumbled the football an incredible 17 times, with the Seminoles recovering 10 times. Understanding the 1970 Wichita State football plane crash. Former college football team in Kansas, USA, Breaking the color barrier in college football coaching, 1897 Fairmount Wheatshockers football team, 1905 Washburn vs. Fairmount football game, Wichita State University football team plane crash, "Wichita State suspends football program", "MEMORIAL '70 - Memorial '70 Home - Wichita State University", "Wichita State gives up football, too expensive", "Shocker football players return to Cessna Stadium", "Stadium Fix-up Costs Throw WSU Football Hopes For Loss", "PRICE FOR WSU TO START FOOTBALL AGAIN: $11 MILLION * REPORT CALCULATES COST OF ADDING 1-AA FOOTBALL AND THREE WOMEN'S SPORTS", "Not so fast: Football's return to campus no done deal - The Sunflower: Campus Life", "WSU gets the OK to tear down Cessna Stadium", "How and why Wichita State? Kostal, Dave Lewis, Keith Morrison, Bob Renner, Rick Stephens and co-pilot Ronald As a former starter, he asked to move to sit with his friends. On October 2, 1970, airplane carrying Wichita State University football team crashed in Colorado Rocky Mountains killing 31 team members, supporters, coaches and airline personnel. Its almost like another memorial to them, with all of that still up there, teammate Ed Plopa said. Another 14 were university staff members and football boosters. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. The records below only includes games while a member of the conference and does not include games against teams listed below considered non-conference games. The highlight of the game for Wichita was a 105-yard kickoff return by tailback Don Gilley in the first quarter. [1] The team played its home games at Cessna Stadium in Wichita, Kansas. He earned All-MVC honors as a senior and played three seasons in the NFL. Utah. Former T. C. Williams High School football coach Herman Boone, who was portrayed by Denzel Washington in the film Remember the Titans, compared Jeffriess hiring to that of Jackie Robinson signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Pennsylvania had a connection to the Marshall tragedy No. We do not have detailed roster information for this (AP Photo)ASSOCIATED PRESS. It was bigger than most planes we get down here and flying a lot lower. [1] The team played its home games at Cessna Stadium in Wichita, Kansas. game was to be played Saturday and placed a black and yellow wreath on the 50-yard 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Q: Why did Wichita State resume its season? Wichita State has won fourteen conference titles. Please consider supporting our work. the "Second Season." Record: 0-9 (123rd of 123) (Schedule & Results). Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). The team compiled a 09 record (04 against conference opponents), finished last out of five teams in the MVC, and was outscored by a total of 381 to 99. Q: What is the significance of the Gold and Black designations for the planes? [2], The team included 22 returning lettermen led by junior quarterback Bob Renner, senior fullback Randy Jackson, and middle linebacker John Hoheisel. . . Facing an Arkansas team ranked No. The 1970 Wichita Shockers football team was an American football team that represented Wichita State University as a member of the Missouri Valley Conference during the 1970 NCAA University Division football season. It was shown that $24 million in improvements were needed. We know you hear with us the thrill and excitement of the game. The Arkansas players were clearly affected by the events that transpired, evidenced by a story written by James Thompson, another Arkansas Gazette journalist. The NCAA allowed WSU to play freshmen, who were ineligible at the time by NCAA rule. But I dont feel badly about anything I did. co-pilot Ronald Skipper. For information, please contact us at: Wichita State University Libraries Special Collections and University Archives 1845 Fairmount, Wichita, KS 67260-0068 [15], In 1997, the cost was cited at $11 million to restart the football program and three other women's sports. I think about them all the time. Bruce Gerleman, I have just felt bad about those other kids dying and me living. All 75 people aboard were killed. [1] The team played its home games at Cessna Stadium in Wichita, Kansas. And when I heard that airplane, I knew there was something different. Some of the wreckage remains on the side of Mount Trelease and memorial on I-70 marks the area. All-Conference Center Is Among Dead in Football Plane Crash", "Former Buster Gene Robinson: Fund Established For Crash Victim", ESPN Classic Wichita State suffers tragic plane crash, "Remembering the 1970 Wichita State football plane crash", "Plane Crash Survivor Calls It 'A Miracle', "Survivor recalls horror of crash that killed team", "Fresh Start at Wichita: Rarely Mention 'Crash', "Surviving Oct 2nd: Remembering the Fallen with Rick Stephens", "Wichita, Marshall Aircraft Disasters Not Similar", "Wichita State Will Open 'Second Season' Saturday", "Competition Best Therapy For Saddened Shockers", "61 Hogs Play: Arkansas Fans Cheer Wichita", "Black & Gold: Remembering The WSU Plane Carsh", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1970_Wichita_State_Shockers_football_team&oldid=1134674669, Marvin Brown, sophomore, running back, Solomon, Kansas - age 18, John Dunren, sophomore, quarterback, Oklahoma City - age 19, Ron Johnson, senior, defensive back, Kansas City, Missouri - age 21, Randy Kieusau, junior, running back, Clinton, Oklahoma - age 20, Carl Krueger, sophomore, tackle, Chicago - age 19, Steve Moore, senior, linebacker, Derby, Kansas - age 21, Tom Shedden, junior, tackle, Oklahoma City - age 20, Rick Stines, guard, Kansas City, Kansas - age 19, John Taylor, back, Sherman, Texas - died later in the month from injuries sustained in the crash, Jack Vetter Jr., senior, lineman, McPherson, Kansas - age 22, Mike Bruce, tight end/offensive tackle, Sherman, Texas - He later recalled: "When we climbed out of the plane, I could tell I was in about the best condition. Bob Seaman took over as head coach after the crash. A little more than a month after Wichita State's tragedy, a plane carrying the Marshall football team crashed and killed all 75 people on board, including 37 players and nine members of the coaching staff. [5] Fairmount won the game 240.[6]. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Buy 1 Month, Get 2 additional Months FREE. This years is scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday. No plans have been made for the construction of a new multi-purpose athletic facility to replace the decrepit stadium. I On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. A: Other factors budget woes,losing records, low attendance and loss of conference affiliation caused the demise of football. Quality local journalism has never been more important. Text is available under a CC BY-SA 4.0 International License; additional terms may apply. [8], On November 7, the Shockers showed marked improvement in a 2112 loss to Tulsa. The team's statistical leaders included Rick Baehr with 513 passing yards, Don Gilley with 290 rushing yards and 12 points scored, Bill Moore with 175 receiving yards. The chartered Southern Airways DC-9 was returning from a game the team played earlier in the day against East Carolina University in North Carolina. The game was officiated by then Washburn head coach John H. Outland. Do you have a sports website? [1] The team played its home games at Cessna Stadium in . Find out more. Current Team: Lurleen B. Wallace CC Birthplace/Hometown: Freeport, Florida Nationality: United States Height: 6-1 (185cm) Weight: 160 (73kg) Current NBA Status: Draft Eligible in 2026 Draft Entry: 2026 NBA Draft Pre-Draft Team: Lurleen B. Wallace CC (Fr) Change player? (AP Photo/Chris Schneider) He would subsequently drop the plan weeks later. (AP Photo)AP. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. 1970-71 Men, 1958-59 Men, 2008-09 Women, 1975-76 Men, 1995-96 . YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. An Ohio State football fan who wants to better document the history of the program. with Utah State University. 1969 Roster - By Number From the 1969 FSU Football Handbook, page 42. . If you have this information and would like to share The Shockers took 46 players to the game, 39 of them freshmen and sophomores. The "Gold" plane carrying the first-team players and staff crashed in Colorado's Loveland Pass. line. In one of the worst tragedies of college sports history, a plane carrying WSU football Utah State placed a memorial wreath at the 50-yard line at its football stadium. and supporters who died in a plane crash Friday, October 2, 1970. The first year of Wichita State Shockers football was in 1895. (AP Photo/Randy Snyder)AP. The 1970 matchup was the most lopsided of a lopsided series, as Arkansas cruised to a 62-0 win. John Duren, 19, Oklahoma City, Okla., Sophomore TE, Randy Kiesau, 20, Clinton, Okla., Junior CB, Mal Kimmel, 21, St. Genevieve, Mo., Senior C, Carl Krueger, 19, Chicago, Ill., Sophomore DE, Tom Owen, 20, Temple Terrace, Fla., Junior RB, Gene Robinson, 21, Dayton, Ohio, Junior TE, Tom Shedden, 20, Oklahoma City, Okla., Junior OT, Richard Stines, 19, Kansas City, Kan., Sophomore G, Jack Vetter, 21, McPherson, Kan., Senior DT, Bert Katzenmeyer, 52, Elwood City, Penn., Athletic Director, Ray Coleman, 45, Wichita, Kan., Shocker Club Chairman, Minority Owned Businesses & Cultural Opportunities in the AAC, Wichita State Crash Survivor Relives Details, Crash site an important memorial for 'Gold Plane' family, Triumph and tragedy: Scotties grad Barkell starred at Wichita State, recalls plane crash, Forgotten tragedy: Survivors' quest to keep memories of 1970 Wichita State crash from fading, Daughter of WSU plane crash victim never knew her 'Da-da', 1990: Those left behind mourned and built new lives, Three generations later, the secrets of Wichita State's devastating plane crash are still unfolding, Wichita State plane crash killing 31 in 1970 revisited Saturday, Youve got to go on: Children of Wichita State crash victims share a 50-year bond, Wichita State marks anniversary of 1970 football team plane crash - Wichita Eagle, Overshadowed: The Wichita State Football Crash, Black & Gold: Remembering the WSU Plane Crash, Surviving Oct. 2nd: Remembering the Fallen with Rick Stephens, 'Gold Plane' & Silver Plume: the Wichita State Plane Crash Revisited, A Look at the WSU Plane Crash's Aftermath, Crash Site an Important Memorial for 'Gold Plane' Family, Former Utah State player still feels linked to Shockers, Shocker Summer: 1970 healing process began on a Saturday night in Little Rock, Shockers forever: Area graduates were part of Wichita State program when plane crash killed 31 in 1970, Greg Hansen: Remembering the Wichita State plane crash, 50 years later, The Valley of No Return: The Story of the Wichita State University Football Team Plane Crash, Wichita State University Football Team Airplane Crash Collection. The stadium is still used by the schools track and field, soccer, and lacrosse programs. A memorial to Wichita State University football player John Taylor lies among the remains of the tragic plane clash Oct. 2, 1970, near the Loveland Ski Area that killed 31 people. The official 1970 Football Roster for the North Dakota State Bison "[39] Assistant coach Bob Seaman took over as the team's head coach after the crash. KMUW, 89.1-FM, will broadcast The Pieces that Remain: Remembering the WSU Plane Crash, at 5 p.m. Friday. 1990 Roster # Player Position Birthday Hometown High School Height Weight; 1: . To read last week's Throwback Thursday on the previous nine times Arkansas and Texas A&M played when both were ranked, click here. With permission from the NCAA, the Shockers played seven freshmen in their starting lineup. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23. It was the first night football game played west of the Mississippi River. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Wichita State wore black jerseys, normally reserved for home games, for all six remaining games. Some school's results have been altered by retroactive NCAA penalties. [15] Thirty-one persons were killed in the crash, including the following 14 players:[16][17], The fatalities also included head coach Ben Wilson (and his wife Helen), athletic director Bert Katzenmeyer (and his wife Marian), team manager Marty Harrison (age 19), team trainer Tom Reeves, admissions director Carl Fahrbach, ticket manager Floyd Farmer, Shocker Club chairman Ray Coleman (and his wife Maxine), Kansas state representative Ray King (and his wife Yvonne), the plane's pilot Dan Crocker, and two stewardesses.[17][24]. Check out the detailed 2000-01 Wichita State Shockers Roster and Stats for College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Not a subscriber yet? The pilots of the Gold plane changed their flight plan, deciding to give their passengers a scenic view of the Rocky Mountains. Information and quotes from this compilation gathered from stories published by The Wichita Eagle. [13] Hoheisel, who was described by coach Wilson in the preseason as "the heart and soul of our defense",[13] was selected as the team captain. Were still all so close, and we do so much of that in their memory. Remembering the 31 people who died on Oct. 2, 1970 through the archives of The Wichita Eagle: Photos of the team and the crash | The names of the victims, Those left behind mourned and built new lives | A beautiful fall day then an ominous sound | Pilot steadfast in denying fault: Someone needed to be blamed | The years drive a wedge between survivors linked by tragedy |, 1970 healing process began on a Saturday night in Little Rock | It is time to heal | Playing with pain, Marvin Brown was Solomons favorite son | Daughter grew up without her da-da | Complex connection for WSU survivors | Families never lose memories | Former Utah State player still feels linked to Shockers, Former WSU player Rick Stephens rides to remember friends who died | Photos: Crash survivor and friends honor victims in Colorado.
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