Marshall University Football Plane Crash Memorial Fountain

On November 14, 1970, a plane holding 75 people devastatingly crashed into a hillside in Kenova, West Virginia. The crash resulted in the fatalities of all those aboard the aircraft. Among these passengers were 37 players from the Marshall University “Thundering Herd” football team, eight members of their staff (coaches, doctors, and athletic director), 25 team “boosters”, as well as the two pilots, two flight attendants, and the plane charter coordinator. The Memorial Student Center Fountain now stands on the university campus as a memory of the lives lost that fateful day.

The Thundering Herd had just come off of a season of rejuvenation. Despite a loss to East Carolina University on November 14th, the team had hopes of a promising season the following year. Tragically, these dreams would not come to fruition. 

     Huntington, West Virginia’s population was shocked, the tremors of grief felt throughout the town. A mutual mourning took place with shops and offices shutting down. Classes were canceled and memorial services were held in abundance over the course of some weeks. In even greater devastating news, six of the player's remains were not properly identified. These six were buried together in a plot overlooking their university in Spring Hill Cemetery. Nine veteran players were not on the plane that day and went on to play the following season with a completely rebuilt football team. 

     A memorial was built in remembrance of those lives that were lost. The Memorial Student Center Fountain was created on November 12, 1972 by then President John G. Barker. Every year a memorial service is held on November 14, the anniversary of the crash. During the service, a wreath is laid and the water turned off. After it concludes, the water stays off until the following spring. The sculptor of the fountain stated that he wanted to “commemorate the living – rather than death – on the waters of life, rising, receding, surging so as to express upward growth, immortality and eternality.” It is also important to note that it is placed directly in front of the student center, the hub of student affairs. As students frequent the area, they are able to look upon the waters and remember those who are gone whilst cherishing those that are still present. The plaque in front of the fountain reads, “They shall live on in the hearts of their families and friends forever, and this memorial records their loss to the university and to the community.”

Brown, Lisle and Floyd J Csir. “Memorial of the 1970 Marshall University Football Team Plane Crash - November 14, 1970 ... Remembered - Homepage.” 2006. Accessed October 8, 2016. http://www.marshall.edu/special-collections/memorial/default.asp.

“Plane Crash Devastates Marshall University Football Team | November 14, 1970.” History.com. Accessed September 16, 2024. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/plane-crash-devastates-marshall-university.

“Plane Crash Memorial – Fountain.” Special Collections. Accessed September 16, 2024. https://www.marshall.edu/special-collections/memorial/fountain/.

“Plane Crash Memorial.” Special Collections. Accessed September 16, 2024. https://www.marshall.edu/special-collections/memorial/.