Like thousands of businessmen early on the morning of September 11, 2001, Joe Eacobacci's commute to Manhattan was uneventful. He arrived early, as traders do, and took the bank of elevators to the 105th floor of Tower 1, the home of the securities firm of Cantor Fitzgerald, for the workday ahead.

At 8:46 am, American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into Tower I between the 93rd and 99th floor. One hour and 42 minutes later, the building collapsed. Joe was one of 658 people at Cantor that morning within the firm's 101st to 105th floors. None survived.

Like so many losses that day, the stories are personal. Joseph Eacobacci (C'96) was survived by his parents, his brother Tom (B'93), sister Michelle, and fiancee Denise Mauro. He also left behind so many friends and teammates at Georgetown, some having graduated alongside him just five years earlier.

In 2003, a scholarship was established in his name and the announcement of a visible memorial to his college experience at Georgetown, where he was a four year letterman and tri-captain of the top rated defense in Division I-AA in 1995: the establishment of the Joseph Eacobacci Memorial Jersey, where a player would be selected each season to wear the #35 that Eacobacci wore at Georgetown. In the years since, the #35 jersey has come to represent team leadership on and off the field.

The initial recipient was linebacker Matt Fronczke in 2003. In a news release, he remarked that "I am still in awe that I was chosen. During my junior year, we played Holy Cross to open the season, then 9/11 occurred. The next week's game versus Wagner was cancelled. The following week we went to Fordham and drove past Manhattan and the whole world had changed. I did not know Joey personally, but I feel as if we are all drawn together as a family by the tradition."

Over, twenty years later, most members of the team weren't even alive when 9/11 occurred. However, they understand the role of the jersey and the responsibility placed upon that individual's shoulders.

"When I hear his name, I think of the legacy he left behind at this program, as well as this campus and across the nation. He set a high standard of excellence, dedication and leadership for those that follow," said Stephen Smith, the 2007 recipient. "The passion with which he played, in addition to his love for the game should be the measure every single player should strive toward."

"The Georgetown football family should continue to replicate those characteristics which Joe exhibited, whether we're on the field, in the classroom, in our careers or throughout our daily lives."

In August 2025, Matthew Plunkett became the 21st recipient of the award.

"Words can't really describe the rush of emotion I had when Coach Sgarlata announced that I was going to be honored with the 35 jersey," said Plunkett in a news release. "I understand the importance of what this jersey symbolizes. I've heard countless stories about what Joe meant to people, to his community, and most of all, to the Georgetown football program. It's clear that wearing this number carries a legacy far greater than myself, and I want to do everything I can to honor him while I wear it. I know this honor also comes with a lot of responsibility to be a leader on this team, and I'm ready for that.

"Wearing the 35 jersey gives me a new sense of leadership and confidence. I am proud to help uphold the standards that Coach Sgar and our staff have given us. The past 35 recipients have led the way and given me great examples to follow. To be selected as this year's recipient of the 35 jersey is one of the greatest honors of my life."

2003
Matt Fronczke
DB, Downers Grove, IL

2004,05
Michael Ononibaku
DE, Amherst, MA

2006
Alex Buzbee
DE, Chester, PA

2007
Stephen Smith
LB, Upper Marlboro, MD

2008
Nick Umar
LB, Belle Mead, NJ

2009
Robert Lane
WR/RB, Greensboro, NC

2010
Nick Parrish
LB, Dallas, TX

2011
Wayne Heimuli
DB, Euless, TX

2012
Kevin Sullivan
OL, Maywood, NJ

2013
Sean Campbell
LB, Middletown, NJ

2014
Nick Alfieri
LB, Portland, OR

2015
Jo'el Kimpela
RB, Euless, TX

2016,17
Tim Barnes
QB, Oradell, NJ

2017
David Akere
DB, Carrollton, TX

2018
Brandon Williams
WR, Germantown, MD

2019
Wesley Bowers
LB, Ft. Washington, MD

2021
Ahmad Wilson
LB, Pittsburgh, PA

2022
Justin Fonteneaux
LB, Houston, TX

2023
Tiy Reed
WR, Franklin, TN

2024
VeRon Garrison
DT, Englewood, NJ

2025
Matthew Plunkett
DL, Chattanooga, TN