Services Planned for 48th Anniversary Commemoration of 1977 UE Plane Crash
Evansville, Ind. (12/02/2025) — On December 13, 1977, a chartered DC-3 crashed just 90 seconds after takeoff from Evansville's Dress Regional Airport. News quickly spread across the University of Evansville community that the plane carried men's basketball Coach Bobby Watson, 14 players, 11 friends of the team, and a crew of five. For those who lived through that night, it will forever be remembered as "the night it rained tears."
The crash was a staggering loss. At a memorial service held days later, Dr. Philip Ott, professor of philosophy and religion, reminded the community that "we do not choose to live. We do not choose to die. Life is a gift." Former UE President Wallace Graves offered words of resolve, urging, "Out of the agony of this hour we will rise."
Though the tragedy remains etched in UE's history, the University came together with strength and unity, carrying forward in tribute to the 29 lives taken far too soon.
To commemorate the 48th anniversary, UE will hold a memorial service at 12 p.m. on Friday, December 12, open to the campus community and the public. The service is being held one day early this year, as December 13 falls on a Saturday.
The gathering will take place at Memorial Plaza, located behind Olmsted Hall. It will feature an invocation and message from Reverend Andy Payton, remarks from President Pietruszkiewicz, the reading of all 29 names, and a moment of silence.
Forty-eight years later, we honor each life taken too soon and remember the legacy they entrusted to us.
The University of Evansville is a private, comprehensive university with a solid foundation in the arts and sciences and professional schools in business, engineering, education, and health sciences. Established in 1854, UE is recognized across the globe for its rich tradition of innovative, academic excellence and dynamic campus community of #Changemakers.
Home of the Purple Aces, UE is located in the southwestern region of Indiana and offers over 75 majors, 17 Division I sports, and a unique study abroad experience at Harlaxton, the University's very own Victorian manor located in the countryside of England. For more information, please visit evansville.edu.
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