The names of the members of the team who flew on the "Black plane" complete the upright It’s here a plane carrying the Wichita State football team crashed while traveling to a game at Utah State on Oct. 2, 1970. It's here a plane carrying the Wichita State football team crashed while traveling to a game at Utah State on Oct. 2, 1970. Glenn Kostal has three children and has been married for almost 35 years. After the trip up the mountain with the football players, Putt sought counseling. Twenty-nine persons died at the scene, while two others died later after receiving each other heal through the survivor’s guilt and pain. Two more who had survived the initial accident passed away later on due to the injuries sustained in the accident. Then, throughout the game, they continued to cheer on Wichita State. Updated landscaping Both the “Black” and the “Gold” planes completed the first leg of the trip successfully and landed in Denver, Colorado to refuel. at that time, I couldn’t recall all the survivors’ names,” Phillips said. It was a blowout. The rescue squad sent to find survivors was comprised of 18 teenagers, Colorado boys with something to prove to themselves and to one another. features the names of the eight Shockers who survived the crash of the "Gold plane" The new monument is designed in the shape of the fuselage near the wing, the area Fifty years ago today, a plane carrying members of the Wichita State football team crashed on a mountain in Colorado. to play quarterback and help the program rebuild. Memorial '70: Part 1 - Remembering the WSU plane crash, Memorial '70: Part 2 - Crash Investigation, Memorial '70: Part 3 - Survivors' reflection. 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 planes refueled in Denver before they went on their separate paths. partner to us, and much of that support is the direct result of Ann Marie Siegwarth’s And so to get to go up to the site with the players for that anniversary was…they didn't need to bring me along, but they did.”. 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 … Memorial '70 sculpture. carried by the survivors and their teammates. This time of remembrance is to acknowledge the changes that the plane crash made in Pilot errors, including poor in-flight decisions and inadequate pre-flight planning, were officially reported as leading to the crash. At nightfall, six hours after the crash, the plane … Afterward, Arkansas players ran mid-field and exchanged hugs with the Shockers. On Oct. 24, 1970, the Shockers faced off against the Razorbacks. accounting major, Allen, Gibbs & Houlik intern. and the events that brought them together. 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 desire to honor teammates by telling the story of the crash motivated Phillips, Now, an addition to a memorial on WSU's campus honors the survivors of that crash. Tramel: How 1970 Wichita State football plane crash survivors are making sure their teammates aren't forgotten • Don Christian, defensive back, Duncan High School. History of Memorial '70 In an annual ceremony of remembrance, a wreath is placed at Wichita State's Memorial '70 at 9 a.m. each October 2. The charred wreckage of N464M lies on a Colorado mountainside some hours after the crash. working for 17 years at The Wichita Eagle. designed the sculpture that features the survivors, with help from graphic designer The remaining Wichita team, with the NCAA and Missouri Valley Conferenceallo… Plane parts and personal belongings were thrown over a large part of Mount Trelease. This year's ceremony will take place at Cessna Stadium. Both airplanes refueled at Denver’s Stapleton Airport. @KAKEnews #WichitaState #Memorial70 pic.twitter.com/z6CDfiS4sm, Today marks 50 years since the WSU plane crash near Silver Plume, CO. Coming up on #KAKENews, we’ll bring you the story of a local who remembers the day well. On Oct. 2, 1970, Wichita State lineman Mal Kimmel boarded a plane with his teammates for their game against Utah State. It's been 50 years since 31 people died when an airplane carrying the Wichita State football team crashed in Colorado while traveling to a game at Utah State on Oct. 2, 1970 On this day in 1970, the Wichita State football team packed up for a game against Utah State. pic.twitter.com/7HnhYWRcOe. • Johnny Duren, wide receiver, John Marshall High School. While the aircraft were refueled and serviced in Denver, First Officer Skipper purchased aeronautical sectional charts for the contemplated scenic route. The Wichita State plane crash was his first big mission. In 1960, a plane crash in Toledo, Ohio, killed 22 persons including 16 members of the California State Polytechnic College team. Of the 40 on board, 31 died, including 14 players along with coaches, boosters, administrators, trainers and three crew members. “When I made a few steps, picked up a wallet that had the picture of a family, large family. Glenn Kostal, then a 20-year old linebacker from Chicago, remembers the day well. Moore contacted Memorial ceremonies take place on October 2nd every year at Wichita State. Because they were there. Jackson, who died in July 2010 of pancreatic cancer, was one of the nine survivors Wichita State survivors remember the significance of plane crash 49 years later. It was then I just kind of got overtaken by fear. About 10 years ago, players had contacted him saying they were returning to the crash site. On Friday, October 2, 1970, a pair of Martin 404 twin-engine aircraft took off from Wichita, Kansas, carrying the Wichita State University (WSU) football team, coaches, and VIP supporters. Phillips, a partner at the Wichita architectural firm of Spangenberg Phillips Tice, One of the most surprising things to come from the plane crash was the team’s motivation to move forward. The National Transportation Safety Board(NTSB) investigation report stated the First Officer testified that he intended to use the charts to help point out landmarks and objects of interest to the passengers. It’s also here, a steep climb at 11,000 feet, that many have ventured. “It’s important that we recognize (the survivors), particularly, because it’s been It’s here a plane carrying the Wichita State football team crashed while traveling to a game at Utah State on Oct. 2, 1970. to add to the Memorial ’70 monument. Truly surreal being here at the wreckage where so many people tragically lost their lives on October 2nd 1970. Mission of remembrance. Just west of Denver, the gold plane faced trouble early that afternoon. 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. Sept. 28, 2020 - A new sculpture recognizes the survivors of the crash at Memorial '70 at Wichita State University. 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. Melissa Hasty, Director of Campus Ministry, reads the prayer at WSU’s Football Memorial ’70. Within a couple weeks, the two were taken to live with family. entrance to campus, now feels complete. It's here a plane carrying the Wichita State football team crashed while traveling to a game at Utah State on Oct. 2, 1970. Memorial '70. “I didn't feel so alone in the grief.”. of the plane that broke open and allowed room for some people to escape. Bruce Gerleman looked out the window of his plane. Wichita State Football Team Plane Crash 1970 - Duration: 57:54. It was one of two aircraft carrying the 1970 Wichita State Shockers football team to Logan, Utah, for a game against Utah State; the second aircraft flew a conventional route and arrived safely in Utah. It made us made me in Arkansas fan for life.”. “…just completed my connection to the community,” he said with shakiness in his voice. “About halfway up the the elements of the crash really started coming into focus,” he said. I froze. Of the 40 people on board, 29 died at the scene. Yet, she’s been going to them in recent years. The loss has certainly influenced their lives, but Winterbone said she’s grateful for the support that has come her way — especially after moving back to Wichita as an adult. The brief ceremony honors WSU football players, administrators and supporters who died in a plane crash Friday, October 2, 1970. It's been 50 years since 31 people died when an airplane carrying the Wichita State football team crashed in Colorado while traveling to a game at Utah State on Oct. 2, 1970. Rhatigan said players have vowed to stay positive and do anything to keep the memory of their friends alive. So to have you know, those clips, it's really it's a big deal.”. It was a horrible sight. By Anna Auld. The monument “Went from the beautiful smells of pine forests to burning timber, burning jet fuel and everything else.”. He will be one of the participants at a memorial service Tuesday in Wichita, marking the 20th anniversary of the tragedy. unfailing support and promise to keep this a simple team effort.”. near Silver Plume, Colorado, while en route to Logan, Utah, for a game with Utah It was a big moment, as he had kept his pain hidden for so long. Classes were canceled for Monday, October 5, and a memorial service was held that evening at the university stadium. Nine players survived along with the co-pilot and the team trainer. Survivors visit site of 1970 WSU football team plane crash. Wichita gave the Razorbacks a plaque to recognize their support and brotherhood. It's like, wow, you know, I've done it. Most, if not all, suffered greatly in silence.”. Paul Suellentrop joined Wichita State University Strategic Communications in 2017 after Amid her scrapbooks, original WSU football helmet and jersey, there is one thing Winterbone wishes she had: the memory of how her parents sounded. medical attention for their injuries. 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. The visit also highlighted lost memories from the 1970 plane crash in Colorado. The stories of the people affected by the crash and its aftermath serve as a tribute to all – teammates, friends and family. He said it’s helped him manage his grief. to finish the whole story.”. • Randy Kiesau, defensive back, Clinton High School. In one of the worst tragedies of college sports history, a plane carrying WSU football players, athletic staff members and … He did not, but one thing he found deeply touched him. The Memorial ’70 monument honors the 31 people – 14 student-athletes, 14 staff and 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. monument that signifies the plane that landed safely in Logan, Utah. Phillips transferred to Wichita State in 1971 “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. Rick Stephens is 72 now. Former Arkansas player Chuck Dicus - Duration: 2:07. and supporters who died in a plane crash Oct. 2, 1970. to the upright monument that represents the "Black plane.". A plane carrying the Wichita State football team crashed while traveling to a game at Utah State on Oct. 2, 1970. Although Wichita State no longer plays football, teammates and survivors from the crash refuse to let the memories of the program's darkest day disappear. “I don't really know. It crashed into a mountain near Silver Plume. the lives of the victims, their families, their friends and the University. He eventually became a first responder, serving as a firefighter and paramedic for decades. 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. “Yeah. Published: Oct. 11, 2020 at 2:30 PM CDT. Rookie players joined the team, including freshmen, which wasn’t common back then. This is the story of the crash, and what happened after. At 1:14 PM, the plane collided with Mount Trelease. John Putt was just 12 years old when he tried to help after the crash. The little-known memorial stands as a tribute to the 31 people who died when a plane carrying members of the Wichita State football team crashed while traveling to a game at Utah State … He writes about applied learning and covers Wichita State University 18,896 views. For the longest time, Putt thought nobody made it out alive. That is where the two planes took two vastly different paths into history leading to the Wichita State Crash. the job and profession in such a short time. of Spangenberg Phillips Tice, designed the sculpture that features the survivors at The team was headed to Utah It’s been half a century since Oct. 2, 1970. The crash not only took young lives of the players on board. I really appreciated that.”. The second plane, carrying 34 persons including 22 football players, landed safely in Logan an hour after the crash of its companion plane. carried on without their fallen teammates and friends. He recalls his teammates admiring the construction activity near the Eisenhower Tunnel before the plane made a rapid plunge. “It’s a crazy thing,” she said. “I was stunned that anybody had survived,” he said. The names of teammates who landed safely in Utah that day are a fitting addition to the existing upright Memorial ’70 monument. addition to the existing upright Memorial ’70 monument. And then sadly, it's 50 years later. The names of the people who landed safely in Logan, Utah, were added The report concluded the crew did not allow enough time for the charts to be studied properly to avoid high terrain before takeoff commenced. In all, 22 children lost at least one parent and 13 children were orphaned. Living with the Wichita State Crash Glenn Kostal. Members of the early 1970s Wichita State football teams want to honor the people who carried on without their fallen teammates and friends. WSU Plane Crash Survivor Embarks On A Journey To Honor His Fallen Teammates. of the crash. alive by telling the story, visiting the crash site on Mount Trelease and helping that there were survivors,” Phillips said, “and how their lives were impacted, especially around Memorial ’70 is also part of the new look. Winterbone said she didn’t always go to them, especially when she lived in other parts of the country. It also impacted so many little ones here at home. They never arrived. Wichita State University officials and family of the survivors were flown to Denver on a plane made available by the Governor of Kansas. It took the lives of 29 people then, and two others died later that month. 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 … His team was hoping to find any possible survivors. Former Arkansas player Chuck Dicus - Duration: 2:07. Wichita State athletics through his GoShockers.com blog, The Roundhouse. I've survived through through it. The student voted to keep playing in what later was dubbed it’s “second season.” Their first big game was an away game against Arkansas. A sculpture recognizes the survivors of the 1970 plane crash, and the names of the 57:54. The school had to get special permission to get those younger students on the roster. room. Jason Ridder. In 2016, players from both teams reunited back on the field where they played decades before. 57:54. 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. They were bound for Logan, Utah, to play the Utah State University Aggies the following day. 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. (John Putt) On the 2nd of October 1970, a chartered airliner carrying the Wichita State University football team took a detour to give the young players a close-up view of the Rocky Mountains. Bob Renner Rick Stephens. On October 2nd, 1970, two planes departed from Wichita, Kansas carrying the Wichita State football team players, coaches, staff, and boosters. 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