They met Wichita coming the other way. But it was a team that hung together. John Yeros, The friendships and bonds forged have been a very important of all our lives. We were even joking about being so close to the ground, saying things like, Look, you can see the rabbits down there. Wichita State player Glenn Kostal, When we climbed out of the plane, I could tell with one quick look that I was in about the best condition. By the half, the freshmen were veterans. They reached the Final Four in 2013 and finished the 2013-14 regular season with a perfect 31-0 record. Quality local journalism has never been more important. Tolley was Marshall's head football coach when the team's plane crashed in 1970 killing all 75 people aboard. The Wichita State Shockers football team was the college football program of Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. Portrait of John Yeros near the site of a plane crash near Loveland Pass, Colo., on Thursday, August 27, 2010. The Shockers were a common opponent for the Razorbacks in those days; they played five times between 1964 and 1980. 1990 Roster # Player Position Birthday Hometown High School Height Weight; 1: . Marshall lost, 17-14. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. Trainer Tom Reeves and player John Taylor died later after receiving [2], The team included 22 returning lettermen led by junior quarterback Bob Renner, senior fullback Randy Jackson, and middle linebacker John Hoheisel. On December 25, 1905, Fairmount played a game against the Washburn Ichabods using a set of experimental rules. Prior to the game, a 15-minute ceremony featuring astronaut John Swigert was held to commemorate the team's return to Cessna Stadium for its first game since the crash. Find out more. [2], 1970 NCAA University Division football season, 1970 Missouri Valley Conference football standings, Wichita State University football team plane crash. The NCAA allowed WSU to play freshmen, who were ineligible at the time by NCAA rule. See our list of forfeits and vacated games for more details. teacher and coach at Robinson Middle School, he died in 2010 from pancreatic cancer. After starting all 14 games for Michigan in 2021 and injuring his knee three games into 2022, Cade McNamara looks at his move to Iowa as a fresh start. All rights reserved (About Us). Few times has a home crowd openly cheered for the visitors. at the scene. Head coach Ben Wilson, 14 players, and 16 others died on October 2 in the Wichita State University football team plane crash. Q: Why did Wichita State resume its season? In the afterglow of Kansas State's remarkable 2022 football season, some pieces are starting to fall into place for next year. A: The Black plane followed the original flight plan, north toward Laramie, Wyo., to gain altitude before crossing the Rockies. Player Randy Kiesau flew from Wichita to Denver on the Black plane, then changed to the Gold plane. President Clark Ahlberg and dean of students Jim Rhatigan The universitys leaders dealt with the crush of notifications, funerals and memorial services. The "Gold" plane, a Martin 404, carried 36 passengers and a crew of four. So I went out back and here was this big plane flying up the canyon really low. Withers, according to the story, hooked up with junior defensive end Pete Naputano, who also stayed behind while nursing a biceps injury. WSU players spent the night in Logan Eight players and the co-pilot survived. 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. 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. The NTSB said rain and poor visibility contributed to the . game was to be played Saturday and placed a black and yellow wreath on the 50-yard 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. List of Wichita . Its almost like another memorial to them, with all of that still up there, teammate Ed Plopa said. [41], On October 31, the Shockers lost by at 355 score to Cincinnati before a homecoming crowd of 27,210. The plane crashed on Mount Trelease, west of Denver in the Arapaho National Forest. The two planes traveled to Denver, Colo., to refuel. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. Joyce Series No: FBC613 Holdings: Box 1 (FBC613-1) Abilene Christian (Abilene Christian University - Abilene TX) 17 Sep 1960 vs East Texas State - 15 Oct 1960 vs Howard Payne - 29 Oct 1960 vs Mississippi Southern 30 Sep 1961 vs Lamar Tech 3 Nov 1962 vs Arlington State 26 Oct 1963 vs Trinity The university had a contract with Golden Eagle Aviation to provide a Douglas DC-6B to transport the team to away games. On Nov. 28, 1970, Levitt Arena hosted A Night of Stars benefit for the victims of the Wichita State and Marshall University plane crashes. This years is scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? Bill Husted, an Arkansas Democrat journalist at the game, observed several scenes in his front-page story. I headed down the mountain to get help and a pickup came and took me up to a construction site where we called for help. Wichita State player Mike Bruce, If the crew had been concerned about the aircrafts ability to clear the terrain ahead less than one minute sooner, when the aircraft was 1 1/2 to 2 miles east of Dry Gulch, a successful turnaround could have been executed. Richard Taylor Minister at University United Methodist Church, he knew many of the players, coaches and administrators on the plane. The event was organized by former Wichita State player John Potts and former Arkansas player Chuck Dicus, according to The Wichita Eagle. and supporters who died in a plane crash Friday, October 2, 1970. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. 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. 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. Sure enough, Arkansas led 14-0 just three minutes in and head coach Frank Broyles quickly got his reserves into the game. service was held Monday evening at Cessna Stadium. 84 defensive end Pete Naputano was a junior from Altoona who was on the injured list and not on the plane. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. The Shockers went 6-5 in 1972 and didnt post another winning season until going 8-3 in 1983. Or write about sports? Significant factors were the overloaded condition of the aircraft, the virtual absence of flight planning for the chosen route of flight from Denver to Logan, a lack of understanding on the part of the crew of the performance capabilities and limitations of the aircraft, and the lack of operational management to monitor and appropriately control the actions of the flight crew., Federal investigators take readings from the instrument panel of the DC-9 jet that crashed in Kenova, West Virginia, Nov. 15, 1970, killing all 75 occupants, including the Marshall University football team. [14], In 1992, a study was done on Cessna Stadium to comply with I-A football standards. '70 at 9 a.m. each October 2. 1986 Football Roster; Search for: 1990 Roster. A: Nine days after the crash, the players voted 76-1 to start what became known as the Second Season. The players said returning to practice gave them a sense of comfort and allowed them to honor their teammates. Without football, the Shockers' basketball program has become a powerhouse. Q: How did the Black plane reach Utah safely? [2] [3] They played their home games at Cessna Stadium and were members of the Missouri Valley Conference until the program was discontinued. I feel badly that it happened, of course. [35], The following month, Southern Airways Flight 932 carrying the Marshall University football team crashed, killing 37 members of that team. Looking back on it, we probably expected the coaches to do way too much, Rhatigan said. The Shockers started seven freshmen and 10 sophomores and scored five points on a 37-yard field goal by John Potts and a safety when Cincinnati quarterback Bill Carter was tackled in the end zone. The Shockers voted 76-1 to continue the season against Arkansas in Little Rock. Id say Wichita State and they would say, Thats the school that had the plane crash, wasnt it? Id say, Yeah, it sure was. But nothing else, because I didnt want to talk about it. Dave Lewis, In almost every conversation, when people ask you where you went to school, they remember the crash and ask about it. On October 2, 1970, a plane crashed that was carrying about half of the football team on their way to play a game against Utah State University. The Arkansas players were clearly affected by the events that transpired, evidenced by a story written by James Thompson, another Arkansas Gazette journalist. The Gold aircraft carried the starting players, head coach and athletic director. It landed in Logan. College Football at Sports-Reference.com Blog and Articles. Coach Bob Seaman Wichita States offensive coordinator took over as coach, a job he held until 1973, when athletic director Ted Bredehoft fired him. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. of the survivors to Denver. The future of the 1970 football season was in doubt, with the decision lying in the The pilots of the Gold plane changed their flight plan, deciding to give their passengers a scenic view of the Rocky Mountains. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. [38] The remaining portion of the schedule was designated the "second season. AP. (AP Photo)ASSOCIATED PRESS. Or write about sports? A: On Nov. 14, 1970, a plane carrying Marshall's football team back crashed near the airport in Huntington, W.V., killing 75 people. Were still all so close, and we do so much of that in their memory. Description: . 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. Members of the 1970 Wichita State and Arkansas teams will have a reunion at War Memorial Stadium this weekend for the Alcorn State game. Thanks for visiting PennLive. The first year of Wichita State Shockers football was in 1895. A: Other factors budget woes,losing records, low attendance and loss of conference affiliation caused the demise of football. (AP Photo/Chris Schneider) Survivors of the crash were players Mike Bruce, John Hoheisel, Randy Jackson, Glenn the "Second Season." Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. 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. However, the surviving members of the team voted 76-to-1 to complete the 1970 schedule. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. And when I heard that airplane, I knew there was something different. Twenty-nine died at the scene. at Cessna Stadium. Wichita State University 2023. Do you have a sports website? The plane crashed while trying to land at Tri-State Airport in Kenova, W.Va. Bulldozers plow through wreckage of the DC9 chartered jet that crashed in Kenova, W.V., Nov. 15, 1970. Dorothy Harmon She served as interim athletic director after the crash. Rev. For information, please contact us at: Wichita State University Libraries Special Collections and University Archives 1845 Fairmount, Wichita, KS 67260-0068 The main thing is that people take a few minutes to remember. All 75 people aboard were killed. (AP Photo)AP. In his history of the sport of football, David M. Nelson concluded that "the first forward passes were thrown at the end of the 1905 season in a game between Fairmount and Washburn colleges in Kansas. Wichita State University 1970 Football Team Airplane Crash Tragedy. Hey, theyre cheering for us, commented a Wichita footballer as the red wave of Razorback fans cheered the Wheatshockers onto the field. Mike Kennedy remembers when the paper bearing the Associated Press bulletin came over the wire in the KMUW radio newsroom on that October day in 1970. However, the Cardinals came back to win the game by a 3424 score.[12]. This article uses material from the Wikipedia article 1970 Wichita State Shockers football team, and is written by contributors. [37], After the crash, the team's scheduled games against Utah State and Southern Illinois were cancelled. 9 Arkansas had the plane carrying their starters not crashed three weeks before, but it was even more pronounced with the young players they were forced to use. In an annual ceremony of remembrance, a wreath is placed at Wichita State's Memorial Wichita State wore black jerseys, normally reserved for home games, for all six remaining games. [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. [8], On November 7, the Shockers showed marked improvement in a 2112 loss to Tulsa. [12], On December 2, 1986, Wichita State President Warren Armstrong announced that the university would no longer sponsor football due to the financial strain the program placed on the university. [36] At the end of the season, a nationally televised fundraising program hosted by Monty Hall was aired to raise money for the victims of the two crashes. The Shockers played in three bowl games and had an 03 record. 1970 Wichita State Shockers Roster | College Football at Sports-Reference.com via Sports Logos.net About logos 1970 Wichita State Shockers Roster Previous Year Next Year Record: 0-9 (123rd of 123) ( Schedule & Results ) Conference: MVC Conference Record: 0-4 Coach: Ben Wilson (0-9) Points For: 99 Points/G: 11.0 (116th of 123) Points Against: 381 Flag hangs at half staff on Marshall University campus by bust of John Marshall, for whom school named, in tribute to the 75 people, including most of football squad, who were killed in a plane crash on Saturday, Nov. 16, 1970 in Huntington. On May 16, 2009 the Wichita State University alumni association held an all football players reunion at Cessna Stadium. That event is the subject of the 2006 movie "We Are Marshall," starring Matthew McConaughey. Some of the wreckage remains on the side of Mount Trelease and memorial on I-70 marks the area. Matthew McConaughey stars as new head football coach Jack Lengyel who was brought in to rebuild the team. He earned All-MVC honors as a senior and played three seasons in the NFL. View Previous Seasons LSFN All-Time Record 466-287-31 Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Saturday, March 4, 6:03AM. Bob Seaman took over as head coach after the crash. Wichita Falls Coyotes State Champions: 1941 1949 1950 1958 1961 1969 1961 Schedule Record: 10-0-0 Head Coach: Joe Golding Vs Common Opponents (See All) Click on teams to see side-by-side scores. Wichita State's 2017 move to the American Athletic Conference leaves it as the only full member of the conference which does not play football. A rescue worker probes though the wreckage of a plane crash in Silver Plume, Colo. on Oct. 2, 1970. We do not have detailed roster information for this This week, we take a look back at Arkansas' game against Wichita State in 1970. 24 with the University of Arkansas Razorbacks in Little Rock at the War Memorial Stadium. But they could not pull the overweight plane, a Martin 404, out of a box canyon. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. The Shockers took 46 players to the game, 39 of them freshmen and sophomores. Arkansas' fans refrained from calling the Hogs as they supported the Shockers. Two planes carrying Wichita State University football players, coaches, administrators and fans refueled on Oct. 2, 1970, in Denver. 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. [17], In 2006, Wichita Mayor Carlos Mayans proposed to use public funds to restart the football program at Wichita State. The two schools shared in the proceeds from the A Night of Stars benefit at Levitt Arena. Steam floated off their sweat-drenched heads, and a holler could be heard for the water boy. Loria was a former teammate of Beamer. He conducted a memorial service and wrote Homecoming Prayer, which was read at the first home game after the crash. 9-ranked football team the Arkansas Razorbacks. 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. 1970-71 Wichita State Roster and Stats Previous Season Next Season Record: 10-16 (0-0, in MVC ) Coach: Gary Thompson PS/G: 80.0 (82nd of 206) PA/G: 80.0 (136th of 206) SRS: 1.65 (81st of 203) SOS: 1.61 (80th of 203) Wichita State School History Roster & Stats Polls, Schedule & Results On this page: Roster Per Game Team and Opponent Stats Per Game Ahlberg traveled to Colorado with the families to visit survivors and identify the dead. Wichita State has won fourteen conference titles. and returned to Wichita by commercial plane Saturday. I just knew he was going to be in trouble. Mary Lou Rutherford, witness, We just assumed thats the way it was when you fly in the mountains. The experiment was considered a failure. Many of us are familiar with the Marshall University story from the 2006 movie We Are Marshall.. [1] The team played its home games at Cessna Stadium in Wichita, Kansas.