Charles and Kitty Stewart

Two days before the East Carolina game Charles Kautz, Director of Athletics, told Charles Stewart, president of Stewart Design Group, that there were two seats available on the chartered flight and offered them to Charles and his wife, Kitty. Charles declined the offer, having already made plans to drive. Dr. Ray Hagley overheard the conversation and expressed interest in the seats, which resulted in the Hagleys taking them instead. After the game the Stewarts saw the Hagleys off on the bus as it left for the plane. They were in their hotel room when they heard the news of the crash through a phone call from their daughter in Huntington.