Maple Bowl MVP, DB Tommy Kaczocha signs with Finland’s Wasa Royals

AFI | American Football | 01/16/2021

Graphic: Igor Lazarevic

Finland’s Wasa Royals have snagged one of the top defenders in Europe with the signing of defensive back Tommy Kaczocha.

The Royals reached the semifinals in Finland’s Maple League

Kaczocha spent the 2020 Finnish season playing for the reigning champion Kuopio Steelers and was a defensive key in helping them win their first ever Maple Bowl. He was named MVP of the Maple Bowl after recording three interceptions in the Steelers 21-0 victory over the Helsinki Wolverines. He finished the season in Finland with 14.5 tackles and three interceptions in five games. He then signed with the Bialystok Lowlanders in Poland’s Liga Futbolu Amerykańskiego (LFA) and was an important factor for the Lowlanders in reaching the Polish title game.

The 23 year old 5’11”, 180 pound Kaczocha, the son of Polish immigrants, from Oak Ridge, Tennessee, kept proving the doubters wrong as a Div. III defensive back playing for Centre College. He finished his four year career (2015-2018) with 118 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 6 interceptions (1 returned for a touchdown), 24 pass breakups, 2 fumble recoveries (1 returned for a touchdown), 1 forced fumble and 5 sacks.

Wasa Royals head coach John Booker, who coached Kaczocha in Poland as head coach of the Lowlanders, is happy:

“Tommy brings a lot of things to our organization. He is an outstanding player with a competitive nature that will help to make him a great player in the future as well. His attitude is contagious; he makes the other players around him practice and work harder when they see his work ethic. Tommy is a great addition to our team.”