Tag: Marshall University Football

November 14, 1970: Marshall University Plane Crash

On the night of November 14, 1970, a Southern Airways DC-9 approached a foggy and rainy Tri-State Airport in Wayne County. The airliner slammed into a hillside just short of the runway and burst into flames. All 75 passengers were killed. 

On board were nearly the entire Marshall University football team along with the head coach, athletic director, and 36 other fans, coaches, announcers, and crew members. It is still the deadliest sports-related air disaster in U.S. history.

The tragedy affected all of Huntington. Everyone seemingly knew someone on board the flight. A local doctor served as a pallbearer at six funerals, and others attended a funeral a day for a week.

The event remains an important part of Huntington’s collective memory. Every year on November 14, community members gather at the Marshall University student center to commemorate the crash. At the center, a memorial fountain with 75 jets of water honors the 75 who died.

In 2006, the movie We Are Marshall brought the tragedy back into the national spotlight. It recounted how the community rallied around the new football team after the crash.

November 14, 1970: Marshall University Plane Crash

On the night of November 14, 1970, a Southern Airways DC-9 approached a foggy and rainy Tri-State Airport in Wayne County. The airliner slammed into a hillside just short of the runway and burst into flames. All 75 passengers were killed.

On board were nearly the entire Marshall University football team along with the head coach, athletic director, and 36 other fans, coaches, announcers, and crew members. It is still the deadliest sports-related air disaster in U.S. history.

The tragedy affected all of Huntington. Everyone seemingly knew someone on board the flight. A local doctor served as a pallbearer at six funerals, and others attended a funeral a day for a week.

The event remains an important part of Huntington’s collective memory. Every year on November 14, community members gather at the Marshall University student center to commemorate the crash. At the center, a memorial fountain with 75 jets of water honors the 75 who died.

In 2006, the movie We Are Marshall brought the tragedy back into the national spotlight. It recounted how the community rallied around the new football team after the crash.

Fire at Marshall University's Football Stadium Ruled Arson

Officials say a fire that damaged electrical wiring at Marshall University’s football stadium in West Virginia has been ruled arson.

The Herald-Dispatch reports state Fire Marshal’s spokesman Tim Chastain says they’re offering a $5,000 reward to those with information leading to an arrest in connection with the Sunday night fire at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.

Huntington Fire Chief Carl Eastham says crews responded to the scene after receiving reports of the flames. A business owner said several of his portable restroom and hand washing stations were set on fire.

Officials say flames from the plastic units, placed against a fence outside the stadium, spread up a light tower.

University spokesman Scott Morehouse says it’s possible the damage could affect the start time for Saturday’s game with Charlotte if there’s considerable damage to the lights.

Former Marshall Player, Coach Passes Away

Former Marshall University football standout and assistant coach Phil Ratliff passed away on Sunday.

The Charlotte 49ers, where Ratliff has been coaching the past three years, made the announcement Sunday afternoon.

WCHS-TV reports Ratliff was hospitalized on August 3 after suffering from a cardiac event.

Ratliff was a native of Louisa, Ky. At Marshall he was a two time NCAA Division 1-AA All-American in 1991 and 1992. In his senior season he helped lead the Thundering Herd to its first national championship.

He is a member of the school’s athletic hall of fame.

Ratliff served as the head coach at Spring Valley High School from 2001 to 2005 before becoming a college assistant at James Madison University in Virginia.

He returned to Marshall as an assistant in 2006 and was in Huntington until 2011.

He has been with the new Charlotte 49er football program since 2012, serving as the offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator.

Memorial services will be announced at a later date. He is survived by his wife, Jenni, and a daughter Haley, and son, Dylan.

Ratliff was just 44-years-old.

Marshall Running Back Accused of Beating Two Men — Dismissed From Team

According to the Huntington Herald-Dispatch Marshall University running back Steward Butler was arrested Wednesday morning and charged with two counts of battery. 

Butler turned himself in Wednesday morning. The criminal complaint against Butler says on April 5th moments after witnessing two men kiss, Butler exited a passing vehicle and shouted derogatory comments toward the men before striking the face of both victims with a closed fist. One of the victims captured the incident on video.

After being arraigned Butler was released on a $10,000 recognizance bond. The charges Wednesday morning were misdemeanors, but the evidence has been turned over to the FBI for a review of any civil rights violations.

In a released statement, Marshall University Interim President Gary White said the university won’t stand for the behavior.

“The entire university community is shocked and disappointed to learn the details surrounding the alleged actions that led to Mr. Butler’s arrest this morning, ” White said. “The type of violent, bigoted behavior reported to have been perpetrated by this student is not tolerated at Marshall University. Period. This is an extremely serious matter.”

ACLU-WV Executive Director Jennifer Meinig issue the following statement:

“West Virginia is a place of tolerance, kindness and hospitality. The alleged assault of two gay ment by a Marshall University running back Steward Butler has no place in any West Virginia community. Our thoughts are with the victims of this senseless violence.”

Marshall University Athletic Director Mike Hamrick announced later in the afternoon that Butler had been dismissed.

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