April 10, 2006

Washington, D.C. - Junior defensive end Alex Buzbee (Chester, N.J./Seton Hall Prep) and junior offensive lineman Liam Grubb (Massapequa, N.Y./Chaminade) were announced as the captains for the 2006 Georgetown football season by Hoya Head Coach Kevin Kelly at halftime of the team's spring game on Saturday.

Kelly, who was named head coach in January after spending four years as the special teams coordinator and linebackers coach at Navy, wanted to see the Hoyas through their first workouts of the spring before captains were announced for next season. The team began practicing in mid-March and held three intra-squad scrimmages, the last of them on April 8. At halftime of the scrimmage on Saturday, Kelly announced the team's votes for captains. "I think they are both great selections and I'm proud of our team," Kelly said. "Alex and Liam are tremendous leaders and great players. Alex is one of the best at his position in our league and Liam is a kid who has played hurt and been a big factor on the offense. I don't think they could have made better choices."

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. "I was a little surprised," Buzbee said of the honor. "There were a handful of guys I thought it could have been. I'm just really honored and excited."

For Buzbee, it's the second honor by the football program this season. In January, he was selected as the recipient of the No. 35 jersey, which has been presented to one player in each of the last five years. 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. "Being named captain on top of that means a lot," Buzbee said. "I'll have my name down with some great names from this program. It's very special and I'm very proud. At the same time, the players and coaches are going to look to me and expect me to lead the team and win some games."

Grubb, who has started the last two years at right tackle, has been a leader on an offensive line that helped lead senior Kim Sarin (Roseville, Minn./Cretin-Derham) to over 1,000 yards in 2004, and helped senior Marcus Slayton (Cleveland, Ohio/Benedictine) rush for over 700. "I was thrilled. I was very honored," Grubb said over the phone on Sunday. "It means a lot. The guys on the team are the guys I'm closest to here and for them to think of me as the guy they want to lead them, I can't say enough. It's probably one of the single greatest things that I've ever been picked for. To be the captain of a Division I football team, it's just a great honor."

Grubb plans to spend this summer like he has the previous three, on the Hilltop getting ready for the season. "I'm here more than I am home," he said. "This is my last one, and I want to end my career on a high. It's the last time I'll put this helmet on and I want to make sure we're all ready."

Both players were excited to be a captain in Kelly's first year. "It's a new chapter of Georgetown football and I think Coach Kelly has been a great addition," Grubb said. "To be the first captain under him is an honor. I spoke to him and he thinks we're both leaders. Coming from someone who spent time at the Naval Academy, that means a lot."

"I think he's great," Buzbee said. "I can't get enough of the guy. He's all business and I think most everyone who's met him has been impressed. To be a captain in his first year, and to be able to lead this team, will be a great honor. I can't wait. I can't wait for the summer, and I can't wait for the first game."

Georgetown opens practice for the 2006 season on August 9. The team kicks off the regular season on Saturday, September 2, hosting Holy Cross at the Multi-Sport Field.