79 – David Withers

David R. Withers, number 79, transferred from Marion Military Institute Junior Collage, Marion, Alabama. David DeBord was his roommate. He was injured and was not on the traveling roster, because there was a weight limit on the flight so that some of the fans could have seats on the plane. On the night of the crash he was with Pete Naputano in Altoona, and had been in Johnstown visiting his grandparents earlier that day. After the crash he stayed with DeBord’s parents to help identify his body, since their son had worn some of Wither’s clothing for the trip and this was used to identify the remains. He played on the “Little Herd,” but retired from the team after several concussions. He retained a scholarship and graduated in 1972.

He was not on the airplane because of injuries. – David R. Withers is not in 1970 Marshall University Football Press Guide

DETAILED INFORMATION

Coaches (left to right in photograph)

• Al Carelli, Jr. (Offensive Line)
• Jim "Shorty" Moss (Offensive Coordinator)
• Carl Kokor (Defensive Line)[not on plane]
• Rick Tolley(Head Coach)
• Red Dawson (Defensive Coordinator) [not on plane]

• Gail Parker (Freshman Coach) [not in photo, nor on plane]
• Mickey Jackson (Offensive Backs [not on plane]
• Deke Brackett (Kicking Coach)
• Frank Loria (Defensive Backs)

Players

• Adams, Jim (51)
• Andrews, Mark (61) [not in photo]
• Barile, Tony (42) [not on plane]
• Blake, Michael (67)
• Blevins, Dennis (80)
• Bluford, Willie (31)
• Brautigan, Richard (32) [not in photo, nor on plane]
• Brown, Larry (68)
• Brown, Thomas (65)
• Calvin, Jon (73) [not on plane]
• Carter, Dickie (30) [not on plane]
• Carter, Ed (77) [not on plane]
• Childers, Roger[not in photo]
• Cottrell, Stuart (43)
• Crabtree, Jack (63) [not in photo, nor plane]
• Cyrus, Dave (35) [not on plane]
• Dardinger, Rick(50)
• DeBord, David (76)
• Deeds, Ed (70) [not in photo, nor on plane]
• Finn, Greg (64) [not on plane]
• Foley, Dennis (55) [not on plane]
• Gaudet, Fred (72) [not in photo, nor on plane]
• Gilmore, Kevin (24)
• Griffith, David (81)
• Harris, Arthur "Art" (22)
• Harris, Robert "Bob" (12)
• Hickman, Wes (53) [not on plane]
• Hill, Bobby (41)
• Hood, Joe (33)

• Howard, Tom (60)
• James, Frank (58) [not on plane]
• Jordan, Felix (21) [not on plane]
• Lajterman, Marcelo (23)
• Lech, Richard "Rick"(20)
• Morgan, Gary (45) [not on plane]
• Naputano, Pete (84) [not on plane]
• Nash, Barry (35)
• Norrell, Pat (66)
• Oden, Paul (74) [not in photo, nor on plane]
• Patterson, Bob (71)
• Reese, Scotty (83)
• Repasy, Jack (82)
• Ruffin, Nat (25) [not on plane]
• Sanders, Larry (40)
• Saylor, Al (88)
• Shannon, Art (34)
• Shoebridge, Ted (14)
• Skeens, Allen (59)
• Sly, Jim (54) [not in photo, nor on plane]
• Stainback, Jerry (56)
• Swartley, Mike (52) [not on plane]
• Taglang, Richard (44) [not in photo, nor on plane]
• VanHorn, Robert (75)
• Vanover, Roger (85)
• Wilson, Fred (87)
• Withers, David (79) [not on plane]
• Young, John (86)
• Zborill, Tom (62)

Other Athletic & Football Staff

• Charles E. Kautz (Director of Athletics)
• Ed Starling (Assistant Director of Athletics) [not on plane]
• Jim Hodges (Business Manager) [not on plane]
• Gene Morehouse (Sports Information)
• Jim Schroer (Head Athletic Trainer)
• Donald Tackett (Assistant Athletic Trainer)
• Mark J. Smaha (Assistant Athletic Trainer)  [not on plane]
• Louis A. Peake  (Assistant Athletic Trainer)  [not on plane]
• James H. Wilson (Assistant Athletic Trainer)  [not on plane]

• John Hagan (Equipment Manager) [not on plane]
• Mervin G. Black (Assistant Equipment Manager) [not on plane]
• Eugene Jones (Assistant Football Manager) [not on plane]
• Gerald Sieber (Assistant Football Manager) [not on plane]
• David W. Byrd (Student Equipment Manager) [not on plane]
• Gary George (Student Assistant Statistician)
• Joseph Wortham (Student Assistant Statistician) [not on plane]