CHARLESTON - Unprecedented free publicity and proceeds from Eastern Illinois Romo No. 17 jerseys were not enough. Tony Romo also has donated $100,000 to the university where he played quarterback in obscurity compared to these days as a Dallas Cowboys quarterback and subject of countless gossip magazines and Web sites.

Eastern Illinois associate athletic director John Smith said it was the largest one-time donation he has received in his 11 years in athletics development.

"What was really neat about it was even though Tony is making his living through athletics, he is giving a portion of it to communications studies, which shows he is interested in the entire university," Smith said. "We are just appreciative and it's neat to see how he remembers us."

Smith received the handshake and EIU donation from the school's biggest star before Sunday's game.