The University of Evansville will forever hold a somber place in sports history for the tragedy that struck its Purple Aces men’s basketball program in December of 1977. That year, a hopeful season filled with promise and potential was cut heartbreakingly short by a devastating accident that claimed the lives of nearly the entire team, along with coaches and staff.
On December 13, 1977, Air Indiana Flight 216 crashed shortly after taking off from Dress Regional Airport in Evansville, Indiana. The aircraft was en route to a game in Nashville, but it never made it beyond the early minutes of flight. All 29 individuals on board lost their lives, including head coach Bobby Watson and every player on the active roster of the Purple Aces. It was a moment that froze the hearts of an entire university, a city, and a sports-loving nation.
Among those not on the plane was freshman guard David Furr. At just 18 years old, David had recently joined the team with dreams of contributing to a program that had just transitioned to NCAA Division I. An ankle injury kept him off the flight — a twist of fate that, for a short time, gave the community hope that at least one team member had been spared.
But that hope was cruelly short-lived. Just two weeks after the crash, on December 27, 1977, David Furr and his younger brother, Byron, tragically lost their lives in a car accident near Newton, Illinois. The loss of David, the last surviving member of the Evansville Purple Aces team, marked the final chapter in what is still remembered as one of college basketball’s darkest moments.
David Furr was more than just an athlete. He was a devoted son, a caring older brother, and a young man full of potential — both on and off the court. Friends and family recall his kind-hearted nature, determination, and the pride he felt in representing his hometown of Olney, Illinois. He had a quiet drive, the kind of humility and work ethic that made him well-liked by coaches and teammates alike. His presence was deeply felt, and his absence continues to be mourned.
David is survived by his loving parents, Mr. and Mrs. Furr, who not only endured the unimaginable loss of a son, but also of their younger child, Byron, in the same tragic incident. Their strength and grace have stood as a testament to resilience in the face of overwhelming sorrow.
To honor the memories of David, his teammates, and all those lost in the 1977 tragedy, the University of Evansville established a solemn memorial at Memorial Plaza. There, the “Weeping Basketball” sculpture stands — a powerful and permanent symbol of grief, remembrance, and unity. It marks not only the lives lost but the indelible impact each of those young men left on their school, their community, and college basketball as a whole.
More than four decades later, the memory of David Furr and his fellow Purple Aces endures. Their story continues to inspire a deep sense of compassion, perspective, and the enduring reminder of how quickly life can change. Through remembrance and legacy, they remain forever a part of Evansville’s heart.
