Evansville's Next Game Is Historic: Middle Tennessee Univ

[Aces Aces]

Chills are running down my spine. Wednesday's game is truly the game from Dec 14th, 1977 that was never played.

From the Aces' website:

This will be the first meeting in menʼs basketball between the Blue
Raiders and Purple Aces. Evansville was scheduled to play at
Middle Tennessee on Dec. 14, 1977, but the airplane carrying the
Aces to the game crashed soon after takeoff from Dress Regional
Airport in Evansville on the evening of Dec. 13, killing all aboard. A
memorial stands in the middle of the UE campus to honor those
who perished.

Middle Tennessee played four times between last Wednesday and
Sunday. The final three came on consecutive days in the Global
Sports Hoops Showcase at Auburn, Ala., where the Blue Raiders
lost to Campbell 97-90, beat Samford 68-55 and lost to host Auburn
68-66. Senior guard James Washington scored 25 against Auburn,
and leads the Blue Raiders with an 18.0 scoring average. He is
one of two starters returning from MTSUʼs 2009-10 Sun Belt
Conference championship team.

Today's Aces are playing in memory of their lost teammates.

God rest their souls.

Ace Dad Thanks for posting this....I didn't think anyone had remembered that it was MTSU who the Aces were suppose to play, when the plane went down that rainy night. There has been nothing mentioned about it in the local newspaper.

Shall we never forget the Aces Basketball Team, The Coaches and all the Supporters who lost their lives on Dec. 13 1977

[Unsmooth Moment]

This would be a great win for Evansville. Hopefully they can pull it off for their lost brothers..

RIP '77 class

[UE 71]

AMEN to all athletes who have been lost!

[Ace Dad]

The Evanville media was silent, I assume out of respect for the families and to not put too much pressure on the players. The local MTSU media wrote a nice story:

http://www.citizen-times.com/article/DN ... lane-crash

[Aces0976]

Although I'm too young to remember the crash, it's no doubt going to forever be a part of the program. That was a good find, Ace Dad, very nice article. That last line gave me chills, "Tonight, the Purple Aces finally come to Murphy Center." I remember when I was in college walking past the memorial at the school, it always gave me goosebumps to read the inscription, "Out of the agony of this hour we will rise." I think remembering times and things like this should serve help us all with a little perspective on things and maybe not get so caught up in wins and losses being the end all. As for the game, it's not going to be easy, but it is a game we need to win. It's type of game we need to start winning more often than not. Good luck Aces, get after 'em tonight.

[jayball]

What is even more remarkable about UE's story is that the crash happened in their first year in D1 athletics. What the school and community did after the crash is definitely something to be proud of......not everyone would react that way.

In 1977 UE began playing in NCAA Division I athletics. That same year on December 13, a chartered DC-3 carrying the entire UE basketball team crashed in a field near the Evansville Regional Airport. Every member of the team and coaching staff on the plane was killed. One player was not able to attend the game and thus was not on the plane; not soon after the plane crash, however, the player who was not on the plane was killed in a car accident along with his younger brother. To remember that team, Memorial Plaza stands in the middle of campus between Olmsted Administration Hall and the site of the new University Center, crowned by a fountain with the names engraved. Additionally engraved is the following inscription: "Out of the agony of this hour we will rise."

Tremendous community support brought back the basketball program the next year, and in the relatively short time at the Division I level, the Purple Aces have made five trips to the NCAA Men's basketball tournament (1982, 1989, 1992, 1993, 1999) and two trips to the NIT (1998, 1994).

It has been a rough ride since then for the basketball program, but best of luck to the UE community in this emotional game.

[Ace Dad]

Some people do not understand how an accident in 1977 can still linger decades later.

In 2000, several supposed friends were spooked about Ace Kid going to Evansville because of the crash. This was irrational, but human.

I remember how nervous I was in 2001 the first time Ace Kid flew with the team. I was being irrational.

In 2003, I talked to a parent who at a MVC game who told me that he would not let his son consider Evansville because of the crash. His son played at Southwest Missouri State University. Dad was being irrational, too.

Yesterday, after reading game preview on the UE site, I wondered if the team was flying and hoped they were taking a bus. I was being irrational.

Today I learned that they took a 3 hour bus ride to the game and felt relieved. I was being irrational.

My irrational being wants the Aces to win the game for their former teammates.

Go Aces!

[Ace Dad]

Ryan has 18 points and the Aces lead 32-26 with a couple minutes to go in the first. My first time watching Aces this year. I love ESPN3!

[Ace Dad]

Halftime

Aces lead 36-30.

I bet the Blue Raiders do not go on a 20 point run.

[Aces1982]

36-30 Half. The Assassin is lighting it up in the 1st half.