West Chester U. Grad, Co-Pilot On United 175, Remembered on 9/11

WEST CHESTER, PA — A statue at Farrell Stadium stands tall through the seasons, witness to fresh legion of of graduating students and athletic glories each fall and spring. But it's also a reminder of what's come before, and what's been lost.

The statue is a commemoration and a nod of respect to the life and sacrifice of a West Chester graduate who was tragically killed almost 15 years ago to the day.

Michael Horrocks, a graduate of the class of 1985, was the co-pilot of United Airlines Flight 175 on September 11, 2001.

United 175 was headed from Boston to Los Angeles on that fateful morning when terrorist hijackers took over the plane and diverted it toward New York City. It was the second plane to be crashed into the World Trade Center.

Horrocks, a Delaware County native, is remembered as a star on the football team by his alma mater.

For his family, the anniversary of September 11 is a reason to thinking of the good memories of Michael.

"Every year we choose to celebrate his life than mourning," Nikki Horrocks, Michael's niece, told Patch on the 10th anniversary of 9/11. On that day, Marple Township honored the life of Horrocks with a commemoration ceremony for all victims of the attacks, which Nikki participated in .

If her uncle could see her now, Nikki said "I think he'd probably be smiling and if he could, he'd probably be holding my hand."

Editor's note: a version of this story appeared on Sept. 11, 2017.

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