EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — The University of Evansville makes plans to commemorate the 47th anniversary of the 1977 chartered plane crash that killed members of the UE basketball team.
On December 13, 1977, a chartered DC-3 plane crashed at 7:22 p.m., just 90 seconds after takeoff from Evansville’s Dress Regional Airport. Community members soon learned that this plane included men’s basketball Coach Bobby Watson, 14 players, 11 team friends, and a plane crew of five.
According to a news release, for those who remember the crash, it’s forever known as “the night it rained tears.”
This tragic event was a shocking loss to the UE community. During a memorial service held just a few days after the accident, Dr. Philip Ott, who at the time was a professor of philosophy and religion, said “We do not choose to live. We do not choose to die. Life is a gift.”
Former UE President Wallace Graves reminded the community, “Out of the agony of this hour we will rise.”
To commemorate the 47th anniversary and remember the lives lost, UE will hold a memorial service on Friday, December 13 at noon. The service will be held at Memorial Plaza on campus, located directly behind Olmsted Hall. The memorial will include an invocation and message by Reverend Andy Payton, remarks from President Pietruszkiewicz, the reading of all 29 names, and a moment of silence.
The service is open to the campus community and the public.
