Sept. 12, 2012

WASHINGTON -

On Tuesday, September 11, 2012, the Georgetown University football team began practice with a moment of silence to remember all of the victims of the tragedy that had taken place 11 years ago to the day. Though while the moment of silence may not be the way Head Coach Kevin Kelly opens every practice, the thoughts of the heroes lost has been on the mind of every Hoya student-athlete and coach since 2003, through the memory of former Hoyas' defensive back Joe Eacobacci. 

Eacobacci, a 1996 graduate of the College, was a standout on the field and in the Georgetown community. On September 11, 2001 he was working as an energy trader for the investment firm Cantor Fitzgerald on the 105th floor of the North Tower of the World Trade Center. The Georgetown football program has worked to keep his memory alive as 2012 marks the 10th season a Georgetown football player has been honored by wearing Joe Eacobacci's Memorial No. 35 jersey.

No. 35 Through the Years...
2003 Matt Fronzcke DB
2004 Michael Ononibaku DE
2005 Michael Ononibaku DE
2006 Alex Buzbee DE
2007 Stephen Smith DE
2008 Nicholas Umar LB
2009 Robert Lane SLOT
2010 Nick Parrish LB
2011 Wayne Heimuli DB
2012 Kevin Sullivan OL

Senior offensive lineman Kevin Sullivan (Maywood, N.J./Bergen Catholic), the 2012 recipient, is the ninth player selected to embody the strength and spirit of Eacobacci through the No. 35 jersey he wore during his days on the Hilltop. On Tuesday, Sullivan was featured along with Head Coach Kevin Kelly and Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator Rob Sgarlata, who played with Eacobacci, during the 5 o'clock news on NBC Washington and WJLA-ABC 7. Sullivan and Coach Kelly appeared on NewsChannel 8's Sports Talk with Alex Parker, as Joey's sister, Michelle called in to speak about her memories and the No. 35 jersey tradition. Below are links to the stories, which both ran on Tuesday, September 11, 2012.

CLICK HERE FOR NBC WASHINGTON'S STORY ON THE JOE EACOBACCI NO. 35 MEMORIAL JERSEY 

CLICK HERE FOR WJLA ABC-7's STORY AND HEAD COACH Kevin Kelly AND Kevin Sullivan's APPEARANCE ON NEWS CHANNEL 8'S SPORTS TALK