Spring Break
Never forgotten
Remembering the crash
Issue date: 11/11/05 Section: News
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On the night of Nov. 14 my wife and I were playing bridge with several faculty members. A neighbor called and said to turn on the TV. The crawler on the TV reported a crash at the Tri-State Airport and it was believed to be the MU football team's plane. The bridge game stopped and everyone was consumed with questions about how bad the crash was.
In the aftermath of the crash, Marshall basically shut down. My most vivid memories were the funeral at the field house for the unidentified victims and seeing the president walk across the campus on the way to another funeral with his head down and his entire persona a picture of total exhaustion.
I was present at the stadium when the team won its first game after the disaster. When we realized that we might win the game, everyone became emotional. At the end of the game many fans left in tears. I still have vivid memories when I think about the airplane crash and the comeback of Marshall's football team.
Neil Gibbins,
Professor Emeritus
It was a cold, damp day. It was the last game and I remember the players anticipating doing other things. Several were engaged; I believe one was going to get married soon after the game; others were looking to graduation. The announcement came across the TV, and I immediately knew it was the football team's plane coming back from the game.
It was late at night, so I wasn't on campus, but the next day we opened the dining halls to anyone, especially parents. Parents had come to campus that night, after the crash, so we opened it free to them the next morning.
Shortly afterward, I remember them closing the university and shutting down. The students left. The environment was very quiet and subdued for quite a while.
One of the biggest things I remember was three or four players were supposed to go with the team and didn't go.
It's not necessary to say it was shocking, because it was, but it was not only shocking for the loss of the team members and coaches, but the community members, doctors, politicians… this involved the community. It was a community disaster.
Gordon Yingling
1970 Director of MU Food Services
On that Saturday, Nov. 14, 1970, I was a sophomore at Marshall. I worked at a market in Huntington. I went to work and knew Marshall played. They lost by a field goal, 17-14. That evening, at about 7:45 p.m., a co-worker said the boss's wife wanted to talk on the phone. She said, "Charlie, I have bad news for you. It just came across the TV a plane's down at the airport. They think it's the Marshall plane."
I knew the plane was due at that time. Later on it was confirmed it was the Marshall charter.
Later that night I got off at 11 and went home. My mom knew I was upset and didn't want me to worry. I couldn't sleep.
The next day I saved the paper. That Sunday night there was the memorial service at the Veterans Memorial Field House. I was not able to make it, but there were about 7,000 people there. They said you could hear a pin drop.
The university closed; there were no classes. After classes resumed, in the first floor of Old Main, directly across from where the Bursars office is now, there were telegram letters from across the world.
Thousands of people sent cards to Marshall. I recall the days following the plane crash. It took quite some time to identify the people who died.
It was strange to come to class and not see those people you knew. You saw empty seats.
I went to several of the funerals. There were six people never identified. They are buried in Spring Hill Cemetery.
I went to the service for them. Thousands of people were there that day. Many people spoke. It was one of those days that will be with me the rest of my days.
When people desecrate the fountain I find it totally disgusting. There are students and workers who were not here then. The fountain should be kept in reverence for all time.
Here in Huntington, these people are kept in remembrance forever and ever more. They will never be forgotten.
The Marshall football program is like a phoenix rising from the ashes.
Those who died shall always be in our hearts and minds forever.
Charlie Harless
Assistant supervisor for Campus Service workers, Marshall student 1969-71
The night came softly, typically that November so cold.
Not one part of that day stood out as anything bold.
No minute or hour to recall as time moved on, as night came;
Everyone went about with life; everyone doing the daily same.
Marshall's football team was coming home from a contest date
On a plane with crew and others, on that day, so late.
Like the day, so was the flight, maybe a tiredness on each did fall.
Family and friends awaited here for loved ones at the gate,
Others at the campus, more somewhere between.
But, too late came the edict for our souls, one that causes terrible fear.
It happened in a second, no time to react or shed a tear.
Seventy-five people took flight on that plane,
Then left behind untold numbers of family and friends.
We also died, the way unkind when their fate was heard.
We did not accept it now or then.
To let them go we will not! Think of them and think often!
Let not their names fade! We honor their names as fallen heroes,
On this Nov. 14 as best we can, as this 35th year shows.
Tomorrow fades into history, but Marshall will always stand tall.
Those who live today pause to honor their final hours again this fall.
John R. Dickerson
Kenova, W.Va.
Former Marshall student