Today is 9/11, and is the fourteenth anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.  Our community lost Joe Eacobacci on that fateful day in New York.  Today is also six days after Ty Williams suffered a serious neck injury in our game against Saint Francis.  These two events are not comparable and while the main players never met each other, there is a solid bond which exists between the two related to their character.

Georgetown is a special place which places an emphasis on “Cura Personalis”, the education of the mind, body and spirit.  Our football program is based on three core principles of 4 for 40, SISU and Men for Others.  These are great philosophies, but are impactful only when applied to real life situations.

Since 2003, our program has picked one player per season to represent the No. 35 Joe Eacobacci Memorial Jersey.  By definition, this student-athlete represents the very best of our program.  The representative is a true man for others who embodies the qualities of hard work and dedication which Joey displayed during his time on the Hilltop and after graduation.  The No. 35 jersey is held in the highest regard by our program and the university at large.  Since 9/11, the Georgetown community has rallied around the Eacobacci family and the football program to turn a tragedy into an amazing display of what it is to be a Hoya.

The only word I have to describe the love and support directed towards Ty Williams, his family and our football program is overwhelming.  Yesterday, Coach Luke Thompson and I traveled to Altoona to visit with Ty and his family.  Ty was in great spirits and talked about how eager he was to get started on his road to recovery.

When we arrived at the hospital, six members of the Saint Francis football team were on their way out of the hospital after visiting with Ty.  They have been to see him twice this week. The St. Francis community has been unbelievably supportive.  I told them how much it meant to me that they visited Ty and they responded that even though they are on a different team, we all belong to the same football family.

It is hard to keep up with all of the calls, texts and emails from the people in the Georgetown community who have reached out to offer their assistance.  I know Ty and his family are grateful for everyone’s concern and prayers.  I am eternally grateful to our community for their support.

This weekend, we play Marist at 6 p.m. on Saturday night.  Marist is coming off of a loss to a very good Bucknell team last week by the score of 17-0.  This game will be a challenge for our players and staff. The focus all week has been to improve on our game from last weekend.  We focused all week on our attention to detail in all three phases of the game.  It should be a great contest.  We will be wearing our new blue uniforms and I encourage you to wear blue to support the Hoyas.

Please keep the Ty’s and Joey’s family in your prayers.  I look forward to seeing you this weekend or in the near future at one of our games.