Marshall Sunner, Sports Editor | October 3, 2019. Wichita gave the Razorbacks a plaque to recognize their support and brotherhood. What they’d discover would haunt them for the rest of their lives. It's here a plane carrying the Wichita State football team crashed while traveling to a game at Utah State on Oct. 2, 1970. Jason Ridder. of the crash. Paul Suellentrop joined Wichita State University Strategic Communications in 2017 after since they lived when so many didn’t. It’s pretty amazing to put these two “Ben” cufflinks back together,” she said. addition to the existing upright Memorial ’70 monument. I really appreciated that.”. By Abigail Beckman • Sep 19, 2014 . The planes refueled in Denver before they went on their separate paths. Both the “Black” and the “Gold” planes completed the first leg of the trip successfully and landed in Denver, Colorado to refuel. According to WSU, one alumnus and survivor of the plane crash, Rick Stephens, has gone up to the site a few times, leading a bike ride fundraiser from Wichita State … A plane carrying members of the WSU football team crashed in the Colorado mountains on October 2nd, 1970, killing 31 players, coaches and supporters and crew members. They had to make big change, though. Memorial '70. around Memorial ’70 is also part of the new look. accounting major, Allen, Gibbs & Houlik intern. as it has so many connected to the crash on Oct. 2, 1970 near Silver Plume, Colorado. Wichita State University held a memorial service at Cessna Stadium on Friday honoring both the victims and survivors of a plane crash 50 years ago. Classes were canceled for Monday, October 5, and a memorial service was held that evening at the university stadium. It's here a plane carrying the Wichita State football team crashed while traveling to a game at Utah State on Oct. 2, 1970. The team was headed to Utah The s… “We really wanted to be respectful of what this is about,” Phillips said. The black plane went on its planned route along the north side of Colorado. Some people managed to escape. Moore contacted “I had just left Randy Jackson’s hospital room as he was passing away and realized, alive by telling the story, visiting the crash site on Mount Trelease and helping the crash. The Wichita State plane crash was his first big mission. In 2016, players from both teams reunited back on the field where they played decades before. Wichita State Football Team Plane Crash 1970 - Duration: 57:54. Fifty years ago today, a plane carrying members of the Wichita State football team crashed on a mountain in Colorado. On Oct. 24, 1970, the Shockers faced off against the Razorbacks. It was then I just kind of got overtaken by fear. “I was stunned that anybody had survived,” he said. Both airplanes refueled at Denver’s Stapleton Airport. 57:54. The names of the people who landed safely in Logan, Utah, were added Fifty years ago today — Oct. 2, 1970 — I walked into the student newspaper office at Utah State University expecting to be given media credentials for the first college Greg Hansen: Remembering the Wichita State plane crash, 50 years later | Greg Hansen | tucson.com unfailing support and promise to keep this a simple team effort.”. In one of the worst tragedies of college sports history, a plane carrying WSU football players, athletic staff members and … Phillips and Moore worked with Ann Marie Siegwarth, director of development the job and profession in such a short time. It’s here a plane carrying the Wichita State football team crashed while traveling to a game at Utah State on Oct. 2, 1970. On Oct. 2, 1970, Wichita State lineman Mal Kimmel boarded a plane with his teammates for their game against Utah State. Afterward, Arkansas players ran mid-field and exchanged hugs with the Shockers. At nightfall, six hours after the crash, the plane … It also impacted so many little ones here at home. Tramel: How 1970 Wichita State football plane crash survivors are making sure their teammates aren't forgotten • Don Christian, defensive back, Duncan High School. They returned to help as many as they could. Morgan Anderson . Survivors visit site of 1970 WSU football team plane crash. They never arrived. Nearly 40,000 fans gave surviving players a standing ovation. They were bound for Logan, Utah, to play the Utah State University Aggies the following day. The Crash. Paul Suellentrop joined Wichita State University Strategic Communications in 2017 after Pilot errors, including poor in-flight decisions and inadequate pre-flight planning, were officially reported as leading to the crash. Living with the Wichita State Crash Glenn Kostal. room. Former Arkansas player Chuck Dicus - Duration: 2:07. “It’s important that we recognize (the survivors), particularly, because it’s been Former Wichita State quarterback Randy Phillips, a partner at the architectural firm “I was reflecting on it and thinking, you just don't know how you're gonna get through the next day. The annual Memorial '70 observance takes place on Friday, Oct. 2, for the 50th anniversary After the trip up the mountain with the football players, Putt sought counseling. '70 at 9 a.m. each Oct. 2. It made us made me in Arkansas fan for life.”. Ed Plopa, another team member that was on the plane that landed safely, said the annual gathering is an important opportunity to connect with others who were affected by the deadly crash. John Putt was just 12 years old when he tried to help after the crash. The story, told for years by the Memorial ’70 monument near the 18th Street and Hillside Wichita State plane crash survivor takes on a mission of remembrance The first time Rick Stephens descended Mount Trelease, near Silver Plume, Colorado, he faded in and out of consciousness. That is where the two planes took two vastly different paths into history leading to the Wichita State Crash. Forty years ago, a plane slammed into the Rocky Mountains and killed 31 people. In one of the worst tragedies of college sports history, the WSU "Gold" plane, a Martin 404 carrying 34 passengers and a crew of four, crashed at approximately 3 p.m. on a mountain It’s here a plane carrying the Wichita State football team crashed while traveling to a game at Utah State on Oct. 2, 1970. Wichita State University officials and family of the survivors were flown to Denver on a plane made available by the Governor of Kansas. I froze. The stories of the people affected by the crash and its aftermath serve as a tribute to all – teammates, friends and family. It’s here a plane carrying the Wichita State football team crashed while traveling to a game at Utah State on Oct. 2, 1970. After takeoff … They wanted him to come along. According to WSU, one alumnus and survivor of the plane crash, Rick Stephens, has gone up to the site a few times, leading a bike ride fundraiser from Wichita State … tough on them.”. Updated landscaping Amid her scrapbooks, original WSU football helmet and jersey, there is one thing Winterbone wishes she had: the memory of how her parents sounded. Thirty-one persons, including 14 Wichita State University players, were killed last Oct. 2 when their airliner crashed in the Colorado Rockies. “About halfway up the the elements of the crash really started coming into focus,” he said. About 10 years ago, players had contacted him saying they were returning to the crash site. Two more who had survived the initial accident passed away later on due to the injuries sustained in the accident. Relatives of members of the 1970 Wichita State University Shockers football team visit the crash site where an airplane carrying some of the players crashed near Loveland Pass Monday, July 27, 2020, west of Silver Plume, Colo. Wreckage from the plane, which was one of two being used to take the Shockers to play a football game against Utah State University in Logan, Utah, is still scattered on the mountain top nearly 50 years after the crash … I remained motionless for an hour-and-a-half.”. Sept. 28, 2020 - A new sculpture recognizes the survivors of the crash at Memorial '70 at Wichita State University. “The university has been a wonderful Wichita community members gathered at the Football Memorial ’70 to attend the annual ceremony in remembrance of the Wichita plane crash in 1970. Wichita State University Football Team Plane Crashes in Clear Creek Canyon. Memorial '70: Part 1 - Remembering the WSU plane crash, Memorial '70: Part 2 - Crash Investigation, Memorial '70: Part 3 - Survivors' reflection. Elizabeth Winterbone lost her parents, dad and head football coach Ben Wilson and her mother Helen. Decades after a tragic plane crash took the lives of 31 people, families are still coping with their loss. And then sadly, it's 50 years later. Rick Stephens is 72 now. “One of the main reasons we did what we did, was so the future generations would know that there were survivors,” architect Randy Phillips said. Wichita State University 18,896 views. Of the 40 on board, 31 died, including 14 players along with coaches, boosters, administrators, trainers and three crew members. Truly surreal being here at the wreckage where so many people tragically lost their lives on October 2nd 1970. Remembering the 31 Every year on Oct. 2, Wichita State University remembers the victims of the 1970 plane crash in Colorado, a tragedy that took the lives of 31 people on the trip to a football game in Utah the next day. The team, split into two, boarded two Martin 404’s destined for Logan, Utah. Wichita State athletics through his GoShockers.com blog, The Roundhouse. The desire to honor teammates by telling the story of the crash motivated Phillips, The monument of Spangenberg Phillips Tice, designed the sculpture that features the survivors at The school had to get special permission to get those younger students on the roster. Memorial ceremonies take place on October 2nd every year at Wichita State. of the crash. In all, 22 children lost at least one parent and 13 children were orphaned. After the crash had occurred, Bruce hustled down the mountain, hoping to get aid, and ran into a tunnel construction crew. medical attention for their injuries. It’s here a plane carrying the Wichita State football team crashed while traveling to a game at Utah State on Oct. 2, 1970. people who flew safely on the "Black plane" are an addition to the existing upright Because the plane was full of fuel, it exploded not long after. (a pilot also survived). Because they were there. It crashed into a mountain near Silver Plume. The Memorial ’70 monument honors the 31 people – 14 student-athletes, 14 staff and and the events that brought them together. Plane parts and personal belongings were thrown over a large part of Mount Trelease. Talking with Jackson brought back memories of Wichita State University football Rookie players joined the team, including freshmen, which wasn’t common back then. It was such a vast change from the excitement they had for Shocker football games and hearing of their dad’s success. each other heal through the survivor’s guilt and pain. A sculpture recognizes the survivors of the 1970 plane crash, and the names of the people who flew safely on the "Black plane" are an addition to the existing upright Memorial '70 sculpture. Abigail Wilson . Published: Oct. 11, 2020 at 2:30 PM CDT. The game was canceled, and the Utah State football team held a memorial service at the stadium where the game was to have been played and placed a wreath on the 50-yard line. He said it’s helped him manage his grief. Fourteen members of Wichita State's … It took the lives of 29 people then, and two others died later that month. Funded by around $25,000 in private donations, the additions recognize the burdens “I wanted A new sculpture recognizes the survivors of Wichita State athletics through his GoShockers.com blog, Shocker strength coach puts holiday muscle into campaign for Harbor House, Shock the World Campaign donors raise $307.8 million for Wichita State, Interim Wichita State basketball coach Isaac Brown prepared for this moment. Former Arkansas player Chuck Dicus - Duration: 2:07. The charred wreckage of N464M lies on a Colorado mountainside some hours after the crash. By Robert Sanchez • 5280 October 2010 On October 2nd, 1970, two planes departed from Wichita, Kansas carrying the Wichita State football team players, coaches, staff, and boosters. Friends, family members and survivors gathered at Wichita State University for the 50th anniversary of a tragic event that shook the university community and the world of college sports. Getting that invitation meant the world to him. The monument that lists the 31 names of those who died is unchanged. to add to the Memorial ’70 monument. That decision proved to be deadly when one plane went down, taking the lives of 32 people on board, including members of the Wichita State University football team, coaches and boosters. Randy Phillips joined the Wichita State University football team in 1971, a year after the plane crash that killed 14 players and 17 other people. “It’s a crazy thing,” she said. “Randy came to me and said we ought to be doing something for these guys,” Moore said. “…just completed my connection to the community,” he said with shakiness in his voice. I've survived through through it. The crash not only took young lives of the players on board. I don't remember their voices,” she said. pic.twitter.com/7HnhYWRcOe. He writes about applied learning and covers This was the 49th annual ceremony in honor of the lives lost during the plane crash. So Rusty Featherstone was a survivor when the first plane crashed in Colorado, killing 31 passengers players, the head coach and athletic director and their wives, and guests. For information, go to wichita.edu/covid. State for a game the next day. Within a couple weeks, the two were taken to live with family. 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