[5], Classes at Wichita State were canceled for Monday, October 5, and a memorial service was held that evening on campus at Cessna Stadium. Wichita State University built a memorial for those who died from the crash called Memorial '70. Of the 40 on board, 31 died either in the crash or as a result of injuries sustained in it. PHOTOS: 50 years after the Wichita State plane crash in 1970, remains still lie on the mountain near Silver Plume, Colorado. Christian sat two rows ahead of Lewis. • Randy Kiesau, defensive back, Clinton High School. A painting of a Wichita State football helmet, draped by a cap, is present at the crash site. On Oct. 2, 1970, two planes carrying Wichita State football players, fans, family members, and crew took off from the Denver airport to fly to the Utah State for an away game. Three generations later, the secrets of Wichita State's devastating plane crash are still unfolding - ESPN 'Gold Plane' & Silver Plume: the Wichita State Plane Crash Revisited- Clear Creak Courant A Look at the WSU Plane Crash's Aftermath- Clear Creek Courant Crash Site an Important Memorial for 'Gold Plane' Family - Clear Creek Courant 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. At Wichita State, there's no longer a football team to honor those who died in the crash. Friends and family members of the victims of the plane crash that killed most of the Wichita State football team go over the crash site last July. [17] Wichita State discontinued varsity football after the 1986 season.[18]. It’s here a plane carrying the Wichita State football team crashed while traveling to a game at Utah State on Oct. 2, 1970. I noticed we were quite a bit below the top of the mountains. He can be heard Monday through Friday from 4:40-5:20 p.m. on The Sports Animal radio network, including FM-98.1. A memorial stands on the campus, and enhancements will be unveiled Friday. Not only were they just great young men, friendly to everyone, and amazing athletes, they also were too young to die while they had so much to offer.”. All 75 people aboard died. National Honor Society member.”. He wants his home state to remember the four victims from Oklahoma. Portrait of John Yeros near the site of a plane crash … Buttons bearing the names of the 1970 Wichita State University Shockers football team who died in an airplane crash sit in a part of the fuselage of the craft as teammates, family members and friends visit the crash site near Loveland Pass on July 27, west of Silver Plume, Colo. [AP Photo/David... Berry Tramel, a lifelong Oklahoman, sports fan and newspaper reader, joined The Oklahoman in 1991 and has served as beat writer, assistant sports editor, sports editor and columnist. He was a defensive end from Duncan and had NFL aspirations. The Wichita State University football team plane crash refers to a 1970 plane crash. The s… "[11], The overloaded aircraft,[12][13] nearing Loveland Pass as it flew up Clear Creek Valley, became trapped in a box canyon and was unable to climb above the mountain ridges surrounding it on three sides, nor complete a reversal turn away from the sharply rising terrain. Site of 1970 Wichita State plane crash. When the aircrafts stopped for fueling in Denver, the players stretched their legs on the tarmac. Wichita State football is gone. Memorial '70: Survivors reflect on life after WSU plane crash - KAKE News Lewis and Donnie Christian were best friends in Duncan. Two of the initial 11 survivors later died of their injuries to bring the total dead to 31,[7] 14 of whom were Wichita State football players. [4][7], While the aircraft were refueled and serviced in Denver, First Officer Skipper purchased aeronautical sectional charts for the contemplated scenic route. “We had friends we were losing in Vietnam, but nobody expected a bunch of guys to go play a Saturday afternoon football game not arriving.”. Box 4: FF 19: Crash Notes - Schaible. Morgan Anderson. “They are still greatly missed to this day,” Featherstone said. 50 Years After the Wichita State Crash . Photos are courtesy of WSU Alum, Greg Records. The designated "Black" plane transported the reserve players, assistant coaches, and other support personnel. Buy Now. She answered the phone, and her son explained what had happened. A likeness of the football helmet for the Wichita State Shockers, circa 1970, is draped by a cap as teammates, family members and friends visit the crash site near Loveland Pass on July 27, 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 … All the girls loved him. Living A Miracle. “They are still greatly missed to this day. “He was a good guy. Lewis says all the dead were wearing seat belts. So Lewis called his mother at work back in Duncan. [9], The President of Golden Eagle Aviation, Ronald G. Skipper (1936–2003),[10] was the pilot flying "Gold. Some witnesses located on higher mountainside locations, such as Loveland Pass at 11,990 feet (3,655 m), reported seeing it flying below them. Less scenic, this route allowed more time to gain altitude for the climb over the Rocky Mountains. “Guys we lost who didn’t get to live their lives. It’s been 50 years since the Shockers flew out for Logan, Utah, and a game against Utah State. Now as a news anchor, KDVR and KWGN in Denver, Hubbard recently published a documentary called “Overshadowed: The Wichita State Football Plane Crash”.. Hubbard said he didn’t know much about the crash besides the memorial on campus and became fascinated as he got further on into the … So for 50 years, he’s remembered not just the names and faces, but the spirit that made those names and faces soar. As a student at Wichita State, Jeremy Hubbard was completely unaware of the 1970 plane crash. [19] A trail to the wreck site via Dry Gulch is 0.4 miles past the memorial off exit 216. [6] After the agreements were made, the DC-6 was damaged and was unavailable for use. Crash. A plane carrying the Wichita State football team crashed while traveling to a game at Utah State on Oct. 2, 1970. Sports editor for The Sunflower, Sean Marty, observes the 1970 Wichita State plane crash site on Sunday, Sept. 27 near Silver Plume, Colorado. A roadside memorial plaque listing the names of the victims is located near the Colorado crash site, adjacent to westbound Interstate 70. Lewis’ leg was so badly damaged, his foot was hanging sideways. “But of course, nobody planned on COVID.”. By the time Duren graduated, he was “a superstar,” Featherstone said. Of the 31 people killed, 14 were Wichita State football players. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips. “Class president. Gary, 16, and his older sister, Mary Lynne, had to grow up in a hurry. 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. Many of the 1970 Shockers have traveled to the crash site over the years, making the difficult climb to shed tears, leave mementos, offer prayers. “While we mourn those we lost that day, we also focus on those who survived the crash. Log in or subscribe to read and leave comments. A reception will be held on the stadium concourse, then later in the day are planned screenings of short documentaries filmed about the crash. Today, traces of the tragic plane crash still remain on the mountain near Silver Plume, Colorado. You can also view his personality page at oklahoman.com/berrytramel. “I look up there and think of them.”. September 27, 2020, 4:00 AM Wichita Eagle photographer Travis Heying in August visited the Colorado site where a plane that carried members of the Wichita State football team crashed … Not flown since 1967 ) were re-certified for flight other, wichita state plane crash site Featherstone said were forever. 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