Itchy Jones jersey retirement ceremony set for April 25

12/11/2019 | 8:35:00 | Baseball

CARBONDALE, Ill. - The SIU baseball program announced on Wednesday that Itchy Jones #1 jersey retirement ceremony will be on Saturday, April 25, 2020 during Alumni Weekend. The Salukis host Valparaiso at Itchy Jones Stadium that weekend.

Jones won 738 games as SIU's head coach and more than 1,200 games overall. He is a member of seven Halls of Fame, including SIU, the Missouri Valley Conference, and the American Baseball Coaches Association. At SIU, he guided the Salukis to three NCAA College World Series appearances and 10 NCAA Tournament appearances. His 1971 SIU team finished as national runners-up to USC, and his 1974 and 1977 teams finished third in the nation. The Salukis won seven regular season MVC titles and five tournament titles during his tenure.

When Abe Martin Field underwent a complete renovation in 2014, the facility was dedicated "Itchy Jones Stadium."

On Alumni Weekend, SIU hosts Valpo at 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, and at 1 p.m. on Sunday.