August 3, 2011
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - In his first season playing
overseas, former Western New England quarterback Justin
Walz led The Crew Wroclaw to the Polish American Football
League national title with a 27-26 victory over defending champion
Wroclaw Devils on July 17, 2011 in Bielawa, Poland.
Walz was named the game Most Valuable Player after passing for 126 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 115 yards and two additional scores (including the game-winner on a five-yard run with 1:27 left in the game).
For the year Walz had 105 completions in 154 attempts (68.0%) for 2,220 yards with 29 TDs and six interceptions. He also ran for 540 yards and 12 scores in helping The Crew completed their perfect season with a 11-0 record.
"Playing in Poland was quite an experience," said Walz. "I made a lot of great new friends and teammates. I couldn't have asked to be around a better group of guys on my first trip overseas. It was quite an adventure and hopefully, I'll be able to head back over to Europe in the future and continue my football playing career next season."
Walz established numerous passing records during his outstanding four-year career for the Golden Bears. He compiled 7,900 yards in total offense (6,911 passing, 989 rushing) and accounted for 66 touchdowns (39 through the air, 27 on the ground)
He was a two-year team captain and MVP, and an All-New England Football Conference (NEFC) selection.
Walz, who earned his bachelor's degree in Sport Management in 2010, was named to the NEFC Academic Team three times.
The Groton, Connecticut native also was a four-year starter on the WNE baseball team (second base and shortstop) finishing with a .319 career batting average in 178 games.
Walz was the Western New England Co-Male Athlete-of-the-Year as a sophomore and the WNE Male Senior Scholar-Athlete-of-the-Year as a senior.
Former Western New England great Walz leads "The Crew" to national Polish title
Justin Walz made quite an
impact in his first season playing overseas helping lead his team
to the Polish national title.
Walz was named the game Most Valuable Player after passing for 126 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 115 yards and two additional scores (including the game-winner on a five-yard run with 1:27 left in the game).
For the year Walz had 105 completions in 154 attempts (68.0%) for 2,220 yards with 29 TDs and six interceptions. He also ran for 540 yards and 12 scores in helping The Crew completed their perfect season with a 11-0 record.
"Playing in Poland was quite an experience," said Walz. "I made a lot of great new friends and teammates. I couldn't have asked to be around a better group of guys on my first trip overseas. It was quite an adventure and hopefully, I'll be able to head back over to Europe in the future and continue my football playing career next season."
Walz established numerous passing records during his outstanding four-year career for the Golden Bears. He compiled 7,900 yards in total offense (6,911 passing, 989 rushing) and accounted for 66 touchdowns (39 through the air, 27 on the ground)
He was a two-year team captain and MVP, and an All-New England Football Conference (NEFC) selection.
Walz, who earned his bachelor's degree in Sport Management in 2010, was named to the NEFC Academic Team three times.
The Groton, Connecticut native also was a four-year starter on the WNE baseball team (second base and shortstop) finishing with a .319 career batting average in 178 games.
Walz was the Western New England Co-Male Athlete-of-the-Year as a sophomore and the WNE Male Senior Scholar-Athlete-of-the-Year as a senior.
