Jan. 20, 2006

Washington, D.C. - Georgetown University junior football player Alex Buzbee (Chester, N.J./Seton Hall Prep)is like many other college athletes. When he got to college, he had goals. He wanted to help his team win, get recognized with all-league honors and, maybe, earn All-American honors. As he learned more about the Hoya football program, Buzbee also wanted to wear the No. 35.

When you play football at Georgetown University, the opportunity to wear the No. 35 is something special. It's a statement about who you are and what you mean to the team and to the University.

Last Saturday during the Hoyas' annual banquet, Buzbee, a defensive end, found out that he will wear that jersey during the upcoming 2006 season.

For the last four years, the Georgetown football program has honored one player each season with the No. 35 jersey. The No. 35 is presented in honor of former Hoya standout Joe Eacobacci, C'96, who was killed on September 11, 2001 during the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. Eacobacci was an energy trader for the investment firm Cantor Fitzgerald on the 105th floor of the north tower.

"I wasn't so much surprised as I was honored," Buzbee said this week. "I thought there would be a handful of players who would be considered for it. Since Day One, I've looked toward that as a goal of mine because I know how much it means to the program and what it means to wear that jersey."

Eacobacci was a standout football player at Georgetown from 1993-95, serving as the team's tri-captain during his senior year, when he finished fourth on the team in tackles with 48, registering eight tackles for loss and seven sacks. He earned second-team All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference honors that year and was the recipient of the team's Coaches' Award.

"I had the honor to play with and coach Joey during his time on the Hilltop," Georgetown assistant coach Rob Sgarlata said. "Alex is a perfect choice for this honor. He exemplifies the qualities of leadership and tireless effort both on and off of the playing field. I know the Eacobacci family is proud that he is this year's recipient. He truly deserves this honor and I know he will continue the tradition of excellence associated with wearing No. 35."

Buzbee was one of three Georgetown players honored by the Patriot League following the 2005 season. He earned second-team league honors for the second-straight season. He finished the season with 44 tackles (29 solo), ranking among the top-30 in the conference. In addition, the junior was fifth in the Patriot League with 6.5 sacks and fourth in the league with 12.5 tackles for loss. In conference action, Buzbee led the league with 5.0 sacks in seven games, and was second in tackles for loss with 9.0.

During the banquet, senior All-American Michael Ononibaku (Amherst, Mass./Amherst), who wore the No. 35 as both a junior and a senior, presented Buzbee with the jersey. "Michael wore it before me and we always worked out together and he's kind of looked out for me," he said. "He really helped me out and that meant a lot to me."

Buzbee was able to share the evening with his father, Alex, who attended the dinner. "It was nice to have him there," Buzbee said. "He was proud of me, shook my hand and congratulated me. He's always been there and supported me."

To be the third player to wear the No. 35 - joining defensive back Matt Fronzcke (2003) and Ononibaku (2004-05) - is an honor for Buzbee. "What I've heard through the coaches and what type of person Joe was, it means so much to me," he explained. "It's something that will continue in the program for years to come and have my name associated with it is an honor.