July 26, 2006

Washington, D.C. - Georgetown University senior defensive end Alex Buzbee (Chester, N.J./Seton Hall Prep) is used to pushing things around. During the last three years, Buzbee has been pushing around offensive linemen in the Patriot League in the Division I-AA football ranks.

This summer, however, the 2006 Hoya football captain has been busy pushing things a bit lighter than your typical 300-pound lineman. Pushing papers and policy may be lighter, but it's certainly heavy work when your summer internship involves working in the Capitol for one of the most recognizable congressman in the United States.

Pete King, a Republican from Long Island, New York, is the Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee and also serves on the International Relations Committee. "It's a pretty interesting experience," Buzbee said of the internship. "It's pretty cool to see how the whole process works, to be in the hearings and see the voting process right in front of you."

The job has mainly involved answering phones and pushing papers for King, but Buzbee has had the opportunity to sit in Congress during hearings on homeland security and immigration issues. More than anything, however, Buzbee has had the chance to see the actions of one of the government's biggest names day-in and day-out. "He's such a busy guy, always traveling, always working," Buzbee said. "I see him when he's in the office and it's a neat experience to be around him, around his office and see how everything works up there."

For Buzbee, a government major who is interested in a career in the political arena, the opportunity to work for King and in those offices was one he relished. "It was a great opportunity for me and obviously, being from New Jersey, I knew who he was, since he's from up that way," Buzbee said. "I'm also very interested in that area (homeland security), so it was a natural fit for me."

He spends three days a week in King's offices, working 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. When he secured the position, he went through an orientation and was given his own security badge. "I kind of feel like I'm Jack Ryan," Buzbee joked of the character made famous in the Tom Clancy stories.

The craziness of the work day has been dictated by whether Congress is in session or not, and what is going on in the world. Buzbee said that the recent escalation of hostilities between Israel and Lebanon had his phone ringing off the hook. "He gets letters and phone calls all the time," Buzbee said. "I'll log and file every message and someone within the offices will reply. Obviously, with him working on Homeland Security, he's a pretty popular guy. Based on what is going on in the world, we'll get a lot more calls saying to do this or to do that."

It's been a great experience for the senior. "King is a big-time guy," Buzbee explained. "To see some of his press stuff, it's impressive. He's on television a lot and it's neat to watch how he goes about things. I didn't know what to expect, but to have the opportunity to be on the Hill is one I won't forget."

And while he's kept busy on the Hill this summer, Buzbee has also kept busy on the Hilltop. After work each day, he's back at Georgetown and meets up at Yates Field House with his teammates to work out at 6:15 p.m. "In a lot of ways, I'm like a working person," Buzbee said. "I get up in the morning, go to work, get on the Metro, come home and I'll work out."

Buzbee is preparing as hard for this season as he has any other, but he knows the end of the 2006 season could be it for him, so he has a sense of urgency. "It does feel different," he said of getting ready for his final year. "After some years that were not so great, I've said we had next year. There's a good chance that it's done for me after 11 games this year and that means a lot. This year, I have to win. I don't have another shot now and I want to make sure we make it mean a lot."

And that is what is keeping him focused now, getting ready for his final season. "I think we're all really looking forward to see what happens," he explained. "I think people are interested to see how things will go with a new staff, a new offense and some people in different spots. I don't think we have anything set in stone, but we'll be prepared and ready to go for that first game."

Buzbee, one of the team's co-captains, enters this year also with the honor of wearing the prestigious #35 jersey, which has been presented for the last four years in honor of Joe Eacobacci, who was killed in the World Trade Center terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. He knows that in wearing that number, a lot of expectations will be heaped on him.

"I look at it as an honor," he said. "It's also a bulls-eye. Opposing teams know that when you wear the #35 at Georgetown that you're a guy they have to keep an eye on. Last year, I was noticed, but now, without Michael (Ononibaku, a first team All-American in 2005), I'll probably have some more challenges. But I'm up for it and ready to go."

He's most looking forward to getting back on the field for the team's first practice on August 10. "I love camp," Buzbee said. "I don't really look at the schedule too much. I take things day-by-day. I'm going to prepare for Holy Cross first. If everyone else is ready to go, come Saturday the second (of September), everything will take care of itself."

Buzbee, a two-time second team All-Patriot League selection the last two years, was named an honorable mention Division I-AA All-American by the Football Gazette today. He finished eighth on the team in tackles with 44, was fourth in the Patriot League with 12.5 tackles-for-loss and fifth with 6.5 sacks. Buzbee enters this senior year fourth all-time at Georgetown with 22.0 sacks.

The Hoyas open the 2006 season on Saturday, September 2, hosting Holy Cross in a Patriot League matchup. Kickoff at the Multi-Sport Field is slated for 12:30 p.m.

This is the first in a series of features on Georgetown football players leading up to the team's first practice on August 8.