Alex Kowalczyk is back at his linebacker spot for the Wayne State Football team after sitting out all last season due to injury. Kowalczyk, a senior from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, has already made an impact on the first couple games of the 2024 campaign. In the first two games of the season, Kowalczyk leads the team in tackles with 12, including eight solo stops.  

For Kowalczyk, last season was tough. He suffered a leg injury that kept him out of the entirety of last season. One of the team’s best linebackers had to ride the bench for the entire year. 

“The injury happened in the middle of fall camp, so right before the season started,” Kowalczyk said. “I never had suffered a serious injury before, so I had never had to sit out really or watch from the sidelines. It took a toll on me mentally and it was just a tough time going from doing the thing you love, to having to watch all season long.”

Kowalczyk said even though he wasn’t playing, he still had a role with the team. 

“I was still with everyone and going through everything with the team, so I was still a leader among the team,” Kowlacyzk said. “On game days, I would be in the coaches’ booth with a headset on, helping the coaches out. Anything I could help with, I would find a way to help.” 

Kowalczyk said his teammates and coaches were vital in his recovery process. 

“We have the best coaches here,” Kowlacyzk said. “They were understanding of everything and gave me all the resources I needed and helped any way they could. My teammates are the best. The bond never goes away, I’m still always hanging out with them.” 

Previous success was a driving force in him returning to the field. 

“Just getting back to what I was before I got hurt,” he said. “The biggest thing you face mentally is ‘am I going to be as good as I was before’ and that just drove me to do everything to the max that I could. I wanted there to be no excuses.” 

When asked about this season Kowalczyk said winning is the biggest goal. 

“Just win, make plays, be a leader on the field, do my job, and help the team win,” Kowalczyk said.