From NCAAsports.com:

Remembering No. 35  

When Alex Buzbee steps on the football field this season, more than tackles and sacks will have fans looking up No. 35 in their programs.

Buzbee, a senior defensive end at Georgetown University, is a two-time All-Patriot League selection and a four-year starter for the Hoyas. He led the conference with five sacks last year, and is serving as co-captain of the team this year.

But those will not be the only reasons to look No. 35 up on the roster. At Georgetown, the No. 35 holds a special significance. The jersey number honors the loss of former Hoya football standout Joe Eacobacci, who died in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. At the time, Eacobacci was working as an energy trader at Cantor Fitzgerald on the 105th floor of the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City.

Eacobacci played football at Georgetown in 1993-95, serving as tri-captain during his senior year, and was very well liked throughout the campus community. To honor his memory, Eacobacci's family set up a need-based scholarship in his name, and the athletic department took it one step further.

In 2003, the football program, under the direction of former head coach Bob Benson, created the Joe Eacobacci Memorial Jersey, which is bestowed on a deserving football student-athlete every year. Michael Ononibaku, owner of the jersey in 2004 and 2005, passed the number down to Buzbee at the team's football banquet in January.

"Ever since I came here as a freshman, I had my eyes set on it," said Buzbee. "I thought it was a wonderful honor. I knew if I worked hard, and was a good leader, and led by example that I might have a good shot at receiving it."

Buzbee knows wearing No. 35 comes with a little extra responsibility as a leader, which he will also carry out in his duties as co-captain of the team.

"You have to set an example for the younger guys and show them what it is like to be a student-athlete," said Buzbee. "You have to get it done and play well on the field, and you have to get it done in the classroom."

Players and those close to the Georgetown program are not the only ones who will be looking out for No. 35 this year. The wearer of the jersey is growing a reputation in opponent circles as well.

"It's kind of like (wearing) a bullseye," said Buzbee. "Word has gotten around to the other teams in the league that if you wear the jersey you're probably one of the better players on the team. People will be looking out for me this year, for sure."

Buzbee, who is a government major, interned at Congressmen Pete King's (New York) office in Capitol Hill over the summer. King is the Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, which interested Buzbee and gave the honor of the No. 35 jersey even more meaning.

"(Congressman King's) a really patriotic man," said Buzbee. "You walk into his office and you see 9-11 posters everywhere. He's very big on homeland security and keeping this country safe, so that was kind of cool. It being the fifth-year anniversary of 9-11 this September, it makes it kind of extra special to be wearing that jersey."

Georgetown opens the season with back-to-back home games against Holy Cross (Sept. 2) and Stony Brook (Sept. 9). The Hoyas will be trying to improve on last year's 4-7 record.

"We've preparing pretty hard, and we're going to try to win some more football games than we have in my first three years," said Buzbee. "We had been struggling, but I really think we're starting to take some steps in the right direction. I'm really looking forward to the season. I have one more go around, and I want to make the best of it."