Two members of Illinois State University's athletic department were among seven people killed when a small plane crashed near Bloomington, Illinois early Tuesday morning.

University President Larry Dietz confirmed that Aaron Leetch and Torrey Ward were among those killed as a Cessna 414, returning from the Final Four in Indianapolis, crashed just short of the Central Illinois Regional Airport after midnight.

Leetch was deputy director of athletics for external operations. He leaves behind his wife, Lindsay, and daughters Avery and Emmersen. Ward was associate head coach of the Redbirds men's basketball team. He is survived by his children Torrey and Tamia.