University of Evansville honors victims of 1977 plane crash | News [Video]

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WEVV) — On the 47th anniversary of the tragic plane crash that claimed the lives of 29 people, the University of Evansville (UE) gathered on campus to honor those lost. The service, held at Memorial Plaza shortly after noon, was a somber occasion for the UE community and the city of Evansville.

The crash, which occurred on December 13, 1977, claimed the lives of 14 members of the UE men’s basketball team, their coach Bobby Watson, 11 friends of the team, and five crew members. The flight was en route to Middle Tennessee for a game but tragically crashed shortly after taking off from Evansville’s airport.

The memorial included heartfelt messages from the university’s chaplain, UE President Chris Pietruszkiewicz, and …