AMERICUS - The Georgia Southwestern State University Athletics Department has announced that Evan Bozof Meningitis Awareness Day will be held March 17, with events planned at the Hurricanes home baseball game against Albany State.

Bozof, an honor student and member of the GSW baseball team, passed away in 1998 following a battle with meningitis. He was only 20 years old.

The purpose of the event is muliti-faceted: honor and remember Bozof and also create awareness about meningitis and the meningitis vaccine.

A ceremony unveiling Bozof's new retired jersey banner - No. 17 - on the outfield wall will take place prior to the 5 p.m. first pitch.

More than 100 fans will receive a free green Bozof jersey design t-shirt. In conjunction with St. Patrick's Day, green will be the theme with green Gatorade available as well as prizes from Pat's Place for in-game contest winners. 

Please join us as we remember No. 17, on the 17th, 17 years after losing this Hurricane student-athlete to meningitis.

The Evan Bozof Scholarship, established in 2008, was the first endowed athletic scholarship at GSW. It is awarded annually to a member of the Hurricanes baseball team.