By Tyler Kennett, The Herald-Dispatch
HUNTINGTON — Hailing from Van, West Virginia, Tony Gibson grew up hearing stories of the tragedy that struck Marshall’s football team on Nov. 14, 1970 — a plane crash that resulted in the loss of 75 Thundering Herd players, coaches and community members.
With all Marshall’s football coach knew as a local who started his coaching journey within the state before taking the reins in Huntington, there’s still more to learn.
“I was born in 1972, so I was a little later,” Gibson said. “I had some friends that played at Marshall and had some high school coaches that were in school here at the time. They always mentioned it. You’d hear of that growing up in sports, playing college football. But getting into the coaching profession, you really start looking.”
What he found was a connection with Ferrum College in Virginia. Seven former players there were Marshall football players in 1970 and died in the crash. Herd coach Rick Tolley was a Panthers assistant before leading Marshall.
“We got a call yesterday from (coach) Kevin Sherman at Ferrum. I had no idea that they had seven players and coach Tolley. They were all at Ferrum,” Gibson said. “They do something every year because of the 75. They will be here with their president, their football coach and AD this Saturday.”
Tolley and the seven alumni were included in the inaugural 1994 class of the Ed George Sports Hall of Fame at Ferrum. Since 1971, Ferrum football gives out The Big Green Award to a senior that demonstrates courage and is a role model.
The weight room at Ferrum is named the Big Green Room, a tribute to Marshall and its colors. Tolley’s portrait hangs in the entrance of the locker room, named after him. Since 2013, the press box has been named after both Hank Norton and Rick Tolley. Norton was born in Huntington and coached Ferrum from 1960-1993.
It’s one of many places that show the tragedy has a reach far beyond Huntington.
In Tuscaloosa, Alabama, a “Marshall Four” statue was unveiled on Wednesday at the Benjamin Barnes YMCA. It honors four Tuscaloosa natives who lost their lives in the crash.
Joe Hood, Larry Sanders, Robert Van Horn and Freddie Wilson were each recruited to Marshall in a time where many SEC schools were not integrated.
“Today in Tuscaloosa, we are Marshall, and we stand with Huntington, West Virginia, in a pledge to never forget the 75 players, coaches, administrators and supporters who perished on Nov. 14, 1970,” Tuscaloosa mayor Walt Maddox said, reported by the Tuscaloosa Thread.
“That night, fate was unmerciful, and with it, the grief and despair were unbearable. Yet Marshall rose. It is that resilience and fortitude, forged through tragedy and hope, that we are going to recognize today and immortalize the lives of Tuscaloosa natives Joe, Larry, Robert and Freddie.”
In Harrison County, an award is given to the best high school football player each season named after Frank Loria, a Clarksburg native who coached Marshall’s secondary in 1970. He was an all American at Virginia Tech and has had his number retired there. Legendary former Hokies coach Frank Beamer and Loria played in the same secondary.
“It affected so many lives, and the tragedy is a story like no other,” Gibson said. “We are special, and we are Marshall because of what they did and what the Young Thundering Herd did to bring it back. I don’t take it lightly. We’re going to embrace it.”
For players like Jalen Slappy, who has been at Marshall for his entire career, a goal has been set to showcase the importance of the “75” game and the upcoming ceremonies to a bevy of newcomers. All team members present during spring practices attended Marshall’s spring fountain ceremony.
“My role is continuing to be a leader and understanding what it means and who we’re playing for this week,” Slappy said. “Not even this week, but the rest of them. This week means a lot. It’s not just because it’s (against James Madison this week), but it’s who we’re playing for. We’re focused on playing for the 75. It’s about us and the 75.”
Former Herd lineman and now graduate assistant Logan Osburn gave a speech to the team this week. Gibson said Marshall has put those traditions at the forefront since the beginning.
“It started in fall camp. We had the cemetery run during fall camp. We watched the ‘We Are Marshall’ movie,” Gibson said. “We had former players and Herd brothers talk to our team about what it means. We had Logan Osburn talk to the team today.
“Logan said he could’ve (gone) anywhere he wanted to in his senior year, but he stayed here for two reasons — win a championship and play in this game. That resonates with our guys. He’s a guy who just played. It just means more.”
Newcomers have also latched onto the history. “We’ve got a lot of new faces around here, but out kids have embraced it. It’s special,” Gibson said.
“As you can see in the locker room, we’ve put these logos up. We’re going to honor it. We’re going to embrace it. We’re going to play for them, not only this week but every week.
“This week, it’s special.”
Image: Marshall football coach Tony Gibson walks the sideline as the Herd takes on Eastern Kentucky during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025 at Joan C. Edwards Stadium in Huntington.
SHOLTEN SINGER | For The Herald-Dispatch
