BAZAAR, Kan. (AP) – People from across the county gathered this weekend at the Kansas field where football legend Knute Rockne and seven others died 80 years ago.

Rockne’s death at age 43 at the height of his career – having led the Fighting Irish to consecutive undefeated seasons his final two seasons – made front-page news across the country.

The Wichita Eagle reported that people came from as far away as Notre Dame. The crash site is located near the small town of Bazaar and is marked with a marble-and-limestone monument. Saturday’s memorial event also honored Easter Heathman, the unofficial caretaker of the site who died in January 2008.

Heathman was a 13-year-old farm boy when he heard the growl of the plane moments before it crashed.
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Information from: The Wichita Eagle, https://www.kansas.com

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)