I recall both of these events, especially the drowning. It is hard to imagine now that there used to be a huge drainage ditch that ran by the Marching Chiefs practice field (it was nicknamed Budweiser creek) and by the stadium. At the stadium, there were walkways over the ditch from the parking area to the stadium. It was dangerous and an eyesore. I believe it was in the 80's when they finally covered it.
Is that the same ditch that used to be between the Palace and the stadium? There was a pipe that ran across it that we used to walk going to games. Otherwise you'd have to walk down to Lake Bradford Rd (I think) to cross the ditch.