Evansville's Next Game Is Historic: Middle Tennessee Univ

[Ace Dad]

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.

[acepurple84]

I wish they would not schedule this date for any future games. I know life must go on, but to many it brings back memories of that bad night. Outside of UE family only Wichita State people would know the pain of a tragedy. You will always know when and where you were that night for UE folks, or the October night in 1970 for WSU people.

[McBulldog]

Thanks for pointing this out Ace Dad. It was the year before I came to Drake. I remember my Father being really upset about the crash. Does anyone have a link for a stream or audio? I don't think Drake's game in Alaska starts until 10:30pm. I'll be listening (maybe watching) and cheering for the purple people like they were my own kids! GO PURPLE ACES!!!

[Ace Dad]

ESPN3 will carry the game.

[Ace Dad]

I wish they would not schedule this date for any future games. I know life must go on, but to many it brings back memories of that bad night. Outside of UE family only Wichita State people would know the pain of a tragedy. You will always know when and where you were that night for UE folks, or the October night in 1970 for WSU people.

There is not a game scheduled for Dec 14th this year.

[acepurple84]

I wish they would not schedule this date for any future games. I know life must go on, but to many it brings back memories of that bad night. Outside of UE family only Wichita State people would know the pain of a tragedy. You will always know when and where you were that night for UE folks, or the October night in 1970 for WSU people.

There is not a game scheduled for Dec 14th this year.

Your right I looked at schedule and mistook the 18th for the 13th on Mid Tenn Return game. Better wear my glasses more. But I still hope they do not schedule on the 12/13.

[PocketAces]

I wish they would not schedule this date for any future games. I know life must go on, but to many it brings back memories of that bad night. Outside of UE family only Wichita State people would know the pain of a tragedy. You will always know when and where you were that night for UE folks, or the October night in 1970 for WSU people.

I assume you are talking only about MVC programs here. If not, there are other tragedies in the history of other programs. Oklahoma State had a plane crash a few years ago and Marshall football just to name a couple.

[musiccitybulldog]

This may be a tough one. Middle Tennessee beat Western Kentucky twice last year.

[Ace Dad]

MTSU will make us earn a win on the road. They have experienced Guards, some bigs, new JUCOs, and a couple of transfers from bigger programs. This will not be an easy game (as if any are).

[Ace Dad]

The Aces' games against UTSA and Indiana University have prepared them to face Middle Tennessee:

MTSU Men's Preview: Blue Raiders bigger, faster

By ADAM SPARKS • SPARKS@DNJ.COM •
November 7, 2010

The 2010-11 MTSU men's basketball team has been
built to run.

How far the Blue Raiders travel depends on the
meshing of returning role players and new talent.

"I don't want to put limits on what this team can do.
We can go far and be very good, but we have to
compete and learn to play together," said senior
point guard James Washington.

http://www.dnj.com/article/20101107/BLUERAIDERS02/11070328/1096/MTSU-Men-s-Preview--Blue-Raiders-bigger--faster