Photos by Michael Lipscomb and Susquehanna Athletics
By Marquis Frias, Sports Editor
Jason Eck ‘05 was one of the seven new additions inducted into the Susquehanna Athletics Hall of Fame this past Saturday.
Eck was a four-year starting fullback for the Susquehanna Football team from 2001-2004. In those four years, Eck finished with a then-school record 45 career rushing touchdowns and 2,290 rushing yards, which was second-most for an SU running back at the time of his graduation.
As a freshman, Eck was named the starting full back by long time Susquehanna Football Head Coach Steve Briggs. “Starting as a freshman was great… I wanted to come in and make a difference,,” Eck said.
And that is exactly what Eck did. Eck remained a starter for the rest of the year, supplying Susquehanna with an extra piece in the run game. In the final game of his freshman year, Eck rushed for four rushing touchdowns, which tied the school record for most rushing touchdowns in a game. Eck also earned an honorable mention on the All-Landmark Conference team.
Riding off an impressive freshman year, Eck would have an even more sophomore season with the team. In 2002, Eck rushed for 16 rushing touchdowns, which was the second most in Susquehanna history at the time. Eck also continuously tied the single-game rushing touchdown record multiple times in his sophomore year, which was a testament to his play style.
“It was clear that inside the 20, I was probably going to get the ball,” Eck said. “Which I absolutely loved… I loved running the ball and I loved blocking.”
Eck’s stellar sophomore season earned him all conference honors again, this time as a member of the second team all landmark conference.
Coming off of two impressive seasons to start his Susquehanna career, Eck was looking to continue to dominate for his final two seasons. Eck’s junior season, however, as he described it, was disappointing.
A partially torn MCL kept Eck sidelined for the preseason, which slowed down the team as they went on to finish 4-6 in the year. “I started every game, so I was able to come back thankfully… that was the only time I was really hurt in, actually, my entire football career,” Eck said.
Eck’s senior year would be the complete opposite of his junior year, where he had another dominant personal season. As a captain his senior year, Eck earned all conference first team for the first time in his career, while also winning the Randy Zook team MVP award. Eck also was awarded the Blair Heaton Student-Athlete Character Award and the Alumni Association’s Outstanding Senior Man Award, two of Susquehanna’s most prestigious awards.
“I’ve been doing a lot of thinking just about my times… I just miss the game so much,” Eck said. “It was just a terrific experience.”
While dominating off the field, Eck was also a top student at the Sigmund Weis School of Business as a finance major. In fact, one of Eck’s favorite memories during his time included an achievement both in his major and on the field.
“The 3rd game in [his senior year] was against Delaware Valley. They were nationally ranked at the time. We were beating them all game, but we blew a lead super late in the 4th quarter. But in that game, I broke the Susquehanna career rushing touchdown record. That was also the same weekend that I also got hired for an internship with Goldman Sachs.”
After graduating from Susquehanna in 2005, Eck eventually earned his MBA from Seton Hall University in Prime Service Sales. As previously mentioned, Eck worked at Goldman Sachs and is now currently Lombard Odier Investment Managers.
Eck also now has three kids with his wife, Jenniffer, who is also a Susquehanna Alumni. Eck and his wife met while Eck was still a high school football recruit, and she was a freshman at Susquehanna.
“We sort of hit it off. We didn’t start dating until I went [to Susquehanna]. I like to think of it as God’s plan to bring us together,” Eck said.
Even after his playing days, Eck received even more recognition for his athletic career as he was inducted into the Pennsylvania Hall of Fame – West Branch Valley Chapter in 2012.
Eck is also a frequent visitor of Susquehanna’s campus, having returned a handful of times as a fan and motivational speaker of the Susquehanna Football Team, or as a member of the Sigmund Weis School of Business Advisory Board. Eck also co-founded the New York City alumni chapter, where he helps mentor current Susquehanna students for a career in business.
“Being able to play Division III and start and play every single game was phenomenal… I’m super fortunate and lucky and honored to be inducted into the Hall of Fame,” Eck said.