Following a fatal crash involving head coach Jim Boeheim late Wednesday, ESPN’s College GameDay announced that it will not broadcast from the Carrier Dome on Saturday, ESPN confirmed in a statement released Thursday afternoon. The show was scheduled to go live from 11 a.m. to noon ahead of Syracuse’s 6 p.m. matchup with No. 1 Duke.

The statement from ESPN spokeswoman Anna Negron reads, in full:

“Due to the recent tragedy, and after careful consideration due to the celebratory nature of the show, ESPN’s College GameDay will originate from ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Conn., this weekend, instead of at Syracuse University. We spoke with school officials and they understand the decision.”

The news comes after Boeheim struck and killed a Syracuse man while driving on Interstate 690 late Wednesday night. It was previously reported earlier Thursday that GameDay intended to proceed with its broadcast in Syracuse as usual.

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MORE COVERAGE: 

• Jim Boeheim hits, kills man in I-690 crash
• SU Athletics announces Jim Boeheim will coach against No. 1 Duke after crash
• Moment of silence to be held before Duke game for man killed in Boeheim crash
• Friends, family remember Jorge Jimenez, victim of I-690 crash involving Jim Boeheim

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The College GameDay bus had already made its way to Syracuse on Thursday. It was scheduled to be at the PressRoom Pub restaurant from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

SU Athletics Director John Wildhack in a statement said Boeheim spoke briefly with his team Thursday but did not participate in the 4 p.m. practice that took place.

The Orange had defeated Duke in Durham, North Carolina earlier this season on ESPN’s “Big Monday” broadcast. The game Saturday is expected to set a new Carrier Dome attendance record.

Published on February 21, 2019 at 5:52 pm

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