WSU to hold annual Memorial '70 observance

In an annual ceremony of remembrance, a wreath will be placed at Wichita State's Memorial '70 at 9 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 2. The brief ceremony will honor the 31 WSU football players, administrators and supporters who died in a plane crash Oct. 2, 1970. The plane crashed near Silver Plume, Colo., en route to a game with Utah State University in Logan, Utah.

The ceremony is open to the public. The Memorial '70 sculpture is located on Alumni Drive near 18th and Hillside.

A world premiere musical written in memory of WSU football player Ronald Gene Johnson and the WSU football team members who died in the 1970 plane crash will be performed in conjunction with WSU's 38th annual memorial of the tragic event.

"Waltzing in Heaven" will be presented at WSU at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Oct. 2-4, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, in Miller Concert Hall, Duerksen Fine Arts Center. Johnson's father, Howard Leon Johnson, collaborated with Janie Peak, Rick Lopez, and Vickie and Scott Beck to bring the musical to the stage.

Howard Johnson plans to attend the ceremony that morning and the opening performance that evening. Reporters who would like to arrange an interview with Johnson can call (816) 536-8159.
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Carmen Hytche, director of special events, (316) 978-3142 or carmen.hytche@wichita.edu.