Bluffton in Allen County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Circle of Remembrance
Photographed by Craig Doda, June 1, 2024
1. Circle of Remembrance Marker
Bluffton University Memorial Field and this Circle of Remembrance honor and remember the 2007 Bluffton baseball team, and especially Zachary Arend, David Betts, Scott Harmon, Cody Holp and Tyler Williams, who lost their lives as a result of a tragic bus accident on March 2, 2007, in Atlanta, Georgia. Other players and coaches aboard the bus sustained serious injuries. The accident also claimed the lives of the bus driver and his wife.
During this difficult time, team members, their families and the entire university community experienced the prayers, support and care of countless individuals and organizations from Atlanta, close to home and across the nation.
On March 30, 2007, the players resumed an abbreviated season in honor of their lost teammates. They received national recognition for their character and response to tragedy.
Roster Of The 2007 Bluffton Baseball Team
Zachary Arend Ryan Baightel Brennan Bauman Chris Bauman Lukas Baumgartner Eric Beck David Betts Corey Conn Matt Ferguson Brandon Freytag Sam Fruchey William Gerber William Grandlinard Austin Gray Scott Harmon James Hausman Maxwell Hill Tyler Hill Cody Holp Brett Hunt Timothy Kay Kyle King Cody McPherson Jimmy McMonagle George Mirones Tony Moore Matt Perkins A. J. Ramthun
this page online
Coaching Staff
James Grandey, head coach Todd Miller, assistant coach Jason Moore, assistant coach Tim Berta, student coach Mike Engler, student manager
Touching Home
The bronze sculpture at the center of the Circle of Remembrance was created by Bluffton faculty artist Gregg Luginbuhl.
Impressions of baseball cleats in the casting represent the footprints of the players who died and their enduring impact on all of us. They are surrounded by the touching hands of their team members and coaching staff.
The sculpture's home plate, with the university seal, is aligned toward home plate on Bluffton University Memorial Field.
I have carried you on eagles' wings, and brought you to myself.
Exodus 19:4
Erected by Bluffton University.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Education • Sports. A significant historical date for this entry is March 2, 2007.
Location. 40° 53.829′ N, 83° 54.092′ W. Marker is in Bluffton, Ohio, in Allen County. It can be reached from Bentley Road south
Photographed by Craig Doda, June 1, 2024
2. Circle of Remembrance Marker
Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Till Plains. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Zachary Herman Arend (here, next to this marker); David Joseph Betts (here, next to this marker); Scott Graham Harmon (here, next to this marker); Cody E. Holp (a few steps from this marker); Tyler LaMar Williams (a few steps from this marker); Alumni Field (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Board of Trustees of Central Mennonite College (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bluffton Veterans Memorial (approx. Ό mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bluffton.
Photographed by Craig Doda, June 1, 2024
3. Circle of Remembrance Marker
Photographed by Craig Doda, June 1, 2024
4. Circle of Remembrance Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 7, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 5, 2024, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 360 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 5, 2024, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
