30 Years ago today the entire basketball team, coaching staff and support staff of the Evansville University Purple Aces died in a tragic plane crash soon after the plane took off from the Evansville Regional Airport. This really struck home because I was a 13 year old kid who loved basketball and was a big fan of one of the players. Mike Joyner was a star player for Terre Haute South High School and a close friend of my Uncle David. David, dad and I would go to different schools and playgrounds to play basketball every Sunday afternoon and Mike was always there. I was normally the youngest but they always let me play. Mike was always nice to me. He liked to play opposite of Uncle David instead of on the same team because they would "dog" each other the whole time. It was more fun for them to defend each other.
There is a remembrance convocation at the college today.
4 comments:
It is nice you posted this for us to know. I am glad you have that memory. I did not know about this.
I am a UE alum and grew up in Evansville. Thanks for posting that. I blogged about it myself, recently. That was a sad, sad night in my youth.
thank you for posting this. it does my heart well to know how my brother touched another person. I miss him dearly but his spirit forever lives on.
Anna, I am privileged to know that you have read this. all I can say, 30 years after the fact, is that I am sorry. I wished that I knew your brother better, but I will always remember the kindness he showed towards me. He was my uncle's favorite friend to play ball with.
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