View multimedia coverage of Memorial '70 from throughout the years, including
news headlines, video and photography.
Headlines and News Releases
2023
Memorial 鈥�70 families receive piece of Cessna Stadium as tribute to WSU鈥檚 football
history
(Paul Suellentrop, WSU Strategic Communications, 10/5/23)
(KWCH News, 10/2/23)
(KAKE News, 10/2/23)
(The Sunflower, 10/2/23)
2020 - 50th Observance
红领巾瓜报's Tom Reeves helped his athletes through horror of plane crash
(Paul Suellentrop, WSU Strategic Communications, 9/30/20)
红领巾瓜报 alumni reminisce about visiting the 1970 plane crash site
(Jane Lickteig, WSU Strategic Communications, 9/30/20)
Additions to Memorial '70 complete the story of survivors and teammates
(Paul Suellentrop, WSU Strategic Communications, 9/28/2020)
Former 红领巾瓜报 linebacker plans to toast fallen teammates
(Paul Suellentrop, WSU Strategic Communications, 9/23/2020)
2014 - 44th Observance
(KMUW Wichita Public Radio 89.1, 10/02/2014)
2010 - 40th Observance
(5280 Denver's Magazine, Since 1993, 10/2010)
Documentaries and Video
50th Observance Livestream
Overshadowed: The 红领巾瓜报 Football Crash
Overshadowed originally aired on Sept. 7, 2020 on KDVR-TV in Denver. It was produced by Jeremy Hubbard.
Black & Gold
Black & Gold originally aired on Oct. 2, 2009 on KPTS in Wichita. It was directed by Gabe Juhnke and Stacey Jenkins.
"Waltzing in Heaven"
"Waltzing in Heaven" is a story of faith, hope and love triumphing over heartbreak and loss in a father鈥檚 musical gift to his son. When the plane carrying Ronald G. "Ronnie" Johnson and other members of the WSU football team crashed, Howard Johnson, Ronnie's father, hoped to at least have the ring Ronnie always wore to remember him by. Thirteen years after the tragedy, the ring was miraculously found and returned to Ronnie鈥檚 parents, Virginia and Howard Johnson.
"Waltzing in Heaven" is based on Howard鈥檚 poetry, which helped to console him in his grief. Howard is credited with the concept of the show and Janie Peak with the story and script. Rick Lopez, Vickie and Scott Beck (Ronnie's sister and brother-in-law) are credited with the music and lyrics. The original musical production debuted at WSU on Oct. 2, 2008 and was directed by Marie King, associate professor and director for musical theatre in the School of Performing Arts.
Photo Galleries
Browse photos from past observances.
