Evansville Tragedy

by **carrcar** » January 14th, 2015, 7:05 am

http://www.franklincounty-news.com/2015/01/12/day-tragedy-tears/

**Sponsor**

by **RedbirdLisa** » January 14th, 2015, 7:14 am

I will always remember this. I was a sophomore at Fairmont West High Schoool in Kettering, OH. Keith Moon was a sophomore on the Evansville basketball team and he was from my high school. The mood at school was so somber. Just one of those things you never forget. I believe his mother was a local politician as well so there was a lot of coverage on the local Dayton stations.

by **Veritas** » January 14th, 2015, 8:34 am

Heartbreaking story.

What was the cause? Aircraft overweight? Mechanical?

Absolutely tragic.

by **BTbird** » January 14th, 2015, 8:53 am

David Furr was the only surviving basketball player because he wasn't on the plane that night. He died two weeks later in a car crash. Tragic.

by **UE-grad** » January 14th, 2015, 9:30 am

Veritas wrote:Heartbreaking story.

What was the cause? Aircraft overweight? Mechanical?

Absolutely tragic.

Pilot error - didn't remove the control locks from one aileron & the rudder, also tail heavy from the baggage.

by **COUTEAU** » January 14th, 2015, 9:31 am

Almost everyone that either grew up in Evansville, attended the university, moved there, or is from the any of the near by communities knows of that night, regardless of age, sex, or race.
It's part of the holiday season for many people, in Evansville.
There's a good book on the entire basketball program, from conception to plane crash. It follows not only the team, but also N51071 as the two tragically merge.
Interesting read.
Highly recommended not only as a history of ACES basketball but also Evansville and it's relationship to the university as well.

http://www.bkstr.com/ProductDisplay/100 ... 02616229-1

Bless them all.

by **SHOXMVC** » January 14th, 2015, 11:40 am

I feel bad I never knew until now about the un imaginable tragedy of that night in 1977. My heart goes out to every UE fan that has any such memory of that event. I also say great job for rebuilding a basketball program from scratch to participate in several NCAA tournaments. I will from this day forward have a soft spot in my heart for UE. I, as a WSU fan, go through similar emotions connected to the tragic plane crash of the Shocker football team that killed 31 in October of 1970. GO ACES (except when playing my Shockers)!

:bow:

by **achrist70** » January 14th, 2015, 11:44 am

Is this why Evansville changed their colors from Purple and Gold to Purple and Orange?

by **UE-grad** » January 14th, 2015, 12:27 pm

achrist70 wrote:Is this why Evansville changed their colors from Purple and Gold to Purple and Orange?

No, that happened in the mid 90's - they wore orange sleeves at home the 93-94 season to commemorate the 75th year of the program. The next year (or soon after) the official color changed from gold to orange.

Arad McCutchan used to wear orange on the road for better visuals for the players.

by **COUTEAU** » January 14th, 2015, 12:57 pm

Back in the Evansville College glory years, under Coach McCutchen.
The ACES not only wore sleeves, they also wore nearly floor length colorful satin robes.
You think that, "Purple Pimp" moniker that some use on here is viable because of the Ace Purple mascot. You'd would have had a field day with those robes.
Everyone's robe was a different color. They were so cool. And, were the envy of many opposing teams. It was before the days of warm-up sweats. Mac introduced them to keep players warm, while sitting on the bench.
It'd be nice for them to break them out, for the anniversary of the undefeated team, next month against SIU.
I looked for a picture of them on line. But, couldn't find any