1960 Cal Poly team to be recognized

[TG1996]

I was digging around and found this:

http://www.gopoly.com/news/20052006/2006Hall.html

Something I'm kind of surprised wasn't done earlier, but it coincides with what looks like a beautiful memorial to the lives lost in the plane crash. For those not familiar, 22 people, including 16 players from Cal Poly died in a plane crash at Toledo Express Airport after a game in BG in October 1960. Maybe it's cheesy, but it would be nice if BGSU was represented in some way that weekend. Perhaps just the head of the alumni chapter out there offering a token of remembrance.

I believe I've heard that John Madden was part of the Cal Poly team/staff that stayed at home, and this crash is the reason he doesn't fly.

I'm generally a pretty callous bastard, but reading up on this crash and recently speaking with a man at the Evansville crash memorial who knew a majority of players who died in that tragedy... they're very sobering moments.

[Falconfreak90]

My dad remembers when that happened. Very sad day.

[TG1996]

I got a wild hair last night and e-mailed President Ribeau to see if anything could be done or was in the works for this. Even something as simple as presenting a check for one of the paver bricks in the plaza with words of support could be an outstanding gesture by the University.

I don't know where San Luis Obispo is in the grand scheme of California-ness, but I'm pretty sure Bernie Casey is living in California, and not only was a key member of the Falcon football team that year, but he (and other players) had befriended a number of Cal Poly players when they came out to play, including at least one that died in the crash.

[Class of 61]

I got a wild hair last night and e-mailed President Ribeau to see if anything could be done or was in the works for this. Even something as simple as presenting a check for one of the paver bricks in the plaza with words of support could be an outstanding gesture by the University.

I don't know where San Luis Obispo is in the grand scheme of California-ness, but I'm pretty sure Bernie Casey is living in California, and not only was a key member of the Falcon football team that year, but he (and other players) had befriended a number of Cal Poly players when they came out to play, including at least one that died in the crash.

TG, You're right on this... as one of the few (only?) active members of AZZ who was on campus at the time this tragedy occured, I can tell you that all of us were stunned when we got the news on that terribly foggy night. And I'd agree that BGSU should do something to honor the memories of those lost in this crash. The Mercy Bowl was a long time ago, but this would be a good way to show that BG hasn't forgotten either.

[Dayons_Den]

I believe I've heard that John Madden was part of the Cal Poly team/staff that stayed at home, and this crash is the reason he doesn't fly.

I am pretty sure Madden was a freshman member of this team and in those days frosh. were ineligable to play in their first year so he was in California during the tragedy. And that leads us to the r.v. for Mad-dogg.

[manager]

Don't forget that Ribeau came to BGSu from Cal Poly SLO.

[TG1996]

Don't forget that Ribeau came to BGSu from Cal Poly SLO.

Wow. I didn't realize that. So obviously he's aware of the connection, though I haven't gotten a reply yet. (What's this guy doing, running a university or something?!? )