Each year on April 7, Illinois State Athletics takes time to reflect and remember the seven men who lost their lives in a plane crash on April 7, 2015. Illinois State associate men's basketball coach Torrey Ward, ISU Deputy Director of Athletics Aaron Leetch, Pub II patriarch Terry Stralow, investment officer Jason Jones, Sprint representative Andy Butler, business owner Scott Bittner and pilot Tom Hileman loved their families, loved ISU athletics and loved being a part of the community.
To honor them each year, their wives, fiancée's and children created Project 7, which encourages everyone to perform seven random acts of kindness on April 7.