BREAKING: Evening with Jimmy G canceled, Eastern athletics announces

Former+Eastern+quarterback+Jimmy+Garoppolo+and+the+Eastern+football+team+celebrate%2C+winning+the+Ohio+Valley+Conference+title+for+the+second+straight+year+with+a+52-14+win+over+Jacksonville+State+at+OBrien+Field+on+Sept.+16%2C+2013.

Dominic Baima

Former Eastern quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and the Eastern football team celebrate, winning the Ohio Valley Conference title for the second straight year with a 52-14 win over Jacksonville State at O’Brien Field on Sept. 16, 2013.

Autumn Schulz, Sports Editor

The Eastern athletics department announced Tuesday afternoon that the Evening With Jimmy G fundraising event scheduled for Saturday, April 22 at 6 p.m. has been canceled.

Jimmy G was scheduled to return to Eastern to have his jersey retired at the annual spring game on April 22 at 11:00 a.m.

In a statement regarding the cancellation,  EIU Athletic Director Tom Michael said, “We have just been informed that Jimmy Garoppolo is no longer able to attend the event on April 22 leading to the cancellation.”

The statement also said that guests who have already purchased tickets will be refunded. The cost to attend the event was $200 for individuals and $350 for couples and only 250 tickets were for sale.

Michael also said that he still encourages people to attend the spring game.

“We would like to thank all of those who purchased tickets for this event in support of Eastern Illinois Athletics and our student-athletes; in addition to the Hilton Garden Inn and McKenna-Yost Convention Center for stepping forward to be the title sponsor,” Michael said.  “We still encourage everyone to attend the EIU Spring Football Game earlier that day at O’Brien Field set for an 11 a.m. kickoff.”


Autumn Schulz can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected]