University Of Evansville Men's Basketball Team Plane Crash
The University of Evansville Men's Basketball Team Plane Crash was a disaster that shook the world of American sports on December 13, 1977. The crash killed all members of the team, as well as coaches, boosters, and family members, leaving the university and the entire community in grief. The tragedy remains one of the darkest moments in the history of college sports and aviation.
The Background Story of the Team
The University of Evansville men's basketball team had long been a source of pride for the university and the state of Indiana. The team had a rich history of success, having won five conference championships and made five NCAA tournament appearances between 1959 and 1977. The 1977-78 season was supposed to be another great one for the team, with seasoned players like Marty Simmons, Rick Jones, and Kevin Stallings leading the way.
The Fateful Flight
On December 13, 1977, the University of Evansville men's basketball team was scheduled to play against Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The team, coaching staff, boosters, and family members boarded a DC-3 chartered flight for the trip. The flight was supposed to be a short one, lasting only about an hour.
Unfortunately, the flight never made it to its destination. Shortly after takeoff, the plane crashed into a field in a residential area just a few miles from the airport. All 29 people on board, including the entire basketball team, lost their lives in the crash.
The Aftermath and Impact
The news of the crash struck the university and the community hard. Everyone was shocked and devastated by the loss of so many lives in one fell swoop. Students, faculty, and staff at the university gathered to mourn the loss and comfort each other. The city of Evansville also rallied around the university and offered support and condolences to the families of the victims.
The tragedy left a permanent scar on the university and the community. The basketball program struggled to rebuild after the loss of its entire team, and it took several years before the team was able to return to its former level of success. The university also implemented changes to its travel policies and safety protocols to ensure that something like this never happens again.
Conclusion
The University of Evansville Men's Basketball Team Plane Crash was a tragedy that shook the world of American sports and aviation. The loss of all members of the team, as well as coaches, boosters, and family members, left the university and the entire community in grief. While the tragedy will never be forgotten, the university and the community have rallied together to create a lasting legacy for the victims and ensure that their memory lives on.