FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, Nov. 7, 2005
Contact: Megan Barbour, SGA Communications Director (304) 696-6412
 

Service to honor victims on 35th anniversary of crash; Herd players
to pay tribute with special decal on helmets during game with ECU

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall University’s Student Government Association will honor the memories of the 75 people who died in the MU plane crash 35 years ago with a memorial service at noon Monday, Nov. 14.

The annual service, which is open to the public, will take place on the Memorial Student Center plaza near the Memorial Fountain. Among those expected to attend and speak are West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin and Frank Loria Jr., son of former assistant coach Frank Loria, who died in the crash.

In addition to the traditional placing of a memorial wreath at the fountain and the silencing of the fountain until next spring, the SGA will unveil a new decal to be placed on the helmets of Thundering Herd football players during their Nov. 19 game with East Carolina University at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.

East Carolina is the school Marshall played on Saturday, Nov. 14, 1970, in Greenville, N.C. At approximately 7:47 p.m. that day, the plane carrying the Herd home from its game at ECU crashed near Tri-State Airport, killing all 75 aboard. The victims included 37 MU football players, five coaches, seven staff members, 21 community supporters and five crew of the DC-9 jetliner.

This will be the second time since the tragedy that Marshall’s football team has played East Carolina in the regular season. The Thundering Herd lost to the Pirates 45-0 in Greenville, N.C., in 1978, but beat ECU in the 2001 GMAC Bowl in Mobile, Ala., 64-61, in double overtime.

The new, quarter-sized decal will be placed on the helmets of Marshall football players as a way to show their respect and remembrance for those who lost their lives in the crash. The decal was designed by Student Government Association Athletics Liaison Colleen Talley.

Student Body President Michael Misiti said he is honored to be a part of this year’s plane crash service.

“It is always an honor for our organization to host the plane crash service,” Misiti said. “The entire student body is well aware of what happened 35 years ago and we are reminded daily of the significance of the tragedy when we walk past the fountain. To have the opportunity to let the entire football team pay their respects to the victims by wearing this decal on their helmets will be another wonderful expression of our compassion for the victims and the families of those killed in the tragedy.”

A moment of silence will be observed during the game with East Carolina. Also, a pennant-shaped flag honoring the victims will fly at the stadium.

For more information, persons may contact Talley at (304) 696-2289, or Misiti at (304) 696- 6436.

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