THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2007
Sportscaster Allegedly Punched
An angry basketball fan allegedly slugged Chicago sportscaster Chet Coppock in the face outside Allstate Arena in Rosemont.
Around 10 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14, the ESPN-1000 sportscaster said he walked out to his car with his girlfriend after a DePaul-Marquette basketball game.
He said he noticed a man later identified as Jaime Waldron, 25, of Milwaukee, follow them through the parking lot.
Coppock, 58, said he recognized the man as being a rowdy sports fan from the game.
Waldron allegedly began shouting obscenities at Coppock and his girlfriend. He reportedly made derogatory comments about the woman, according to police. Coppock said he ignored the remarks and continued walking toward his vehicle.
While Coppock unlocked the car, Waldron allegedly took a swing at Coppock, hitting him in the face.
Rosemont paramedics treated Coppock at the scene, though he later told reporters the punch may have caused retinal damage to his eye.
Waldron was charged with battery and was released on bond. He'll face a court date Mar. 6 in Rolling Meadows, according to police.