From the Bench: State Champion Alum Wojciechowicz in Line for DII Title, Shot at NFL in Senior Season
By Jeff Toquinto on September 15, 2024 from Sports Blog
The last time many may have checked in with Josh Wojciechowicz was back on Dec. 6, 2019. It was Wojciechowicz’s senior year and he and the Indians had just won the school’s 10th state football championship with a 21-14 victory against Bluefield.
While it was a joyous time, it also appeared disastrous as well. With one second left in the game, Wojciechowicz broke his ankle. Although he was able to celebrate, he had to do so with help from BHS assistant coaches.
For many, that could have been the end or a sign to mail it in. For Wojciechowicz, it was a chance to reset.
“I think a lot of athletes get to a point where you expect accomplishments from the work you put it, but a setback like that required me to redo my way of thinking,” said Wojciechowicz. “If ever there was an event, from an athletic standpoint that grounded me and forced a reset that was it.”
How did the reset go? Five years later, it would be safe to say the reset has worked. Actually, it has been a success by just about anyone’s standards.
The 22-year-old has spent the last five years as a member of the Colorado School of Mines football team, and more importantly, as a student of the highly touted research school that focuses on engineering and science.
Already, Wojciechowicz has earned an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering with a focus on computer hardware. He is currently working on his master’s degree 
in nuclear engineering and science. If all goes well, and it almost certainly will, Wojciechowicz will wrap that up in May.
in nuclear engineering and science. If all goes well, and it almost certainly will, Wojciechowicz will wrap that up in May.
Prior to that, Wojciechowicz would like to wrap up something else. As a member of the school’s football team and an official Oredigger (among the best college football mascot names out there), the BHS alum would like to add NCAA Division II National Championship winner to the résumé.
Although any student-athlete that moves to the next level will tell you playing for a national title in any sport at any level is the goal, Wojciechowicz’s goal is one based more on reality than hyperbole.
In 2022 as well as in 2023, the Colorado School of Mines made it to the title game in Texas. The only downside is the Orediggers fell both times. In 2023, the team dropped a 38-7 decision to Harding out of Arkansas in a battle of unbeatens. In 2022, Wojciechowicz’s team fell 41-14 to Ferris State out of Michigan.
Understand, Wojciechowicz was not just a spectator on the team. Instead, he has been a full-time starter on special teams in both of those seasons as well as the current one. The only time he was not on the field was during 2020 when the campaign was wiped out due to COVID and in 2021 when he was beaten out after starting in the first game. After that, he
has not left the field as the Orediggers’ long snapper.
has not left the field as the Orediggers’ long snapper.
Wojciechowicz is not just average as a long snapper. Instead, he is carrying on a tradition established by former BHS long snappers Donnie and Tim Lindsey (both who played at WVU and both who were up for NFL jobs) of long-snapping excellence.
Like the Lindsey brothers, he has both the size and skill sought. Wojciechowicz has grown to a full 6’3 and tips the scales at 245 pounds, and still maintains the athleticism that made him a standout with the Tribe.
“I know I have the attributes sought by the NFL with my size, my snap speed, and my strength, but I still know you’re talking about the NFL,” said Wojciechowicz. “That is the top of the top. An opportunity would be fantastic.”
That opportunity may come. NFL teams have had scouts come to practice and are very much aware of Wojciechowicz’s ability.
“I’ll keep doing what I’m doing, but that is beyond my control. The Lord putting me in a good position, just that chance, is something to be thankful for,” said Wojciechowicz.
While that is an after the season thought, Wojciechowicz is more concerned about the current season. The team was 1-0 heading into yesterday’s contest at Washburn in Kansas.
“It’s hard to tell if we’re going to get back, but the consensus of the team is different than what the predictions for us are. Nationally, we’re looked at as getting back to the postseason, but we’re looking at getting back to the title game,” Wojciechowicz said of his team ranked No. 5 heading into yesterday’s game. “We lost a load of guys, but we’ve reloaded. There’s no reason not to get back if we play our ball.”
Success has followed Wojciechowicz since his playing and school days at Bridgeport. And part of what he learned both on the field and in the classroom here in Harrison County has paid dividends.
“Absolutely what I’ve learned there has made a significant impact. Any of my coaches were my biggest supporters, but a special shout out to Coach (Tyler) Phares and Coach (John) Cole who actually came out to a game,” said Wojciechowicz. “They prepared me for this."
Although not football, Wojciechowicz was a standout wrestler who - due to the aforementioned injury - missed his senior year. However, his coaches, the ones shown carrying him the photo, are Chris and Ryan Courtney. They are synonymous with BHS wrestling.
"Chris and Ryan Courtney have been along with me my entire athletic journey. Both have been mentors both in sports and life by connecting lessons in wrestling practices/matches to how i should approach challenges and adversity," Josh said. "They both mean so much to me and I cannot credit any amount of success that i may have had without their help."
There was also help when it came to the books. Another area where success has traveled well from West Virginia to Colorado.
“As for the classroom, there were so many good teachers. Two of them made the biggest impact,” he continued. “Mrs. (Anita) Byrd and 
Mr. (James) Browslawky were my biggest inspirations. They pushed me and taught me how to study. That is kind of big deal in college, and it is especially critical here.”
Mr. (James) Browslawky were my biggest inspirations. They pushed me and taught me how to study. That is kind of big deal in college, and it is especially critical here.”
It has indeed been critical to find success at the Golden, Colorado school. When asked about what it was like to be at a high-end research school, Wojciechowicz chose his words carefully.
“A typical college experience for most is to have four years of study, plan for the future, and begin a career. It’s not exactly typical here,” he said with a sly laugh. “I wouldn’t trade my time here for anything, and I love this school. At the same time, this school is the about the most unrelentless thing I’ve done in my life. At times, it actually feels like they’re trying to fail you, but everything is done for the right reasons.”
It has to be. The educational diet consists of all things engineering, and heavy portions of calculus, physics, chemistry, and others many would avoid.
“The school has a reputation, and they want to uphold it. The thing that gives you some comfort is everyone you’re in school with is going the through the same thing,” said Wojciechowicz. “Even the alumni will tell you how rough it was. At this point in my life, it is the most difficult thing I have ever done. The reward is getting through it and developing friendships that will last a lifetime.”
Wojciechowicz is hoping to have his football friends with him December 21 at the McKinney Independent School District Stadium in
McKinney, Texas. The high school football stadium seats 12,000 and is one of the best facilities in the nation.
McKinney, Texas. The high school football stadium seats 12,000 and is one of the best facilities in the nation.
“There is a lot of football ahead of us before being able to get to that destination,” he said. “But the goal is getting to that destination. It was like that at Bridgeport. It is like that here.”
Wojciechowicz and his family ended up in Colorado as a family-related move. His father Jason, an employee of Petroleum Development Corporation (PDC) when it was in Bridgeport, relocated with the company years ago when its headquarters headed to the mountains.
The move has worked out on the football field for Josh Wojciechowicz. It could work out with a shot at the NFL and almost certainly will work out in his post-playing days.
“My degree, I would hope, would have me in a job writing computer codes for nuclear reactors,” he said. “… I hope to do that or be involved with writing codes. I enjoy dealing with computer hardware. There are few things I like more than doing code and being involved with computers.”
One of those things is winning football games. Another would be winning a national title.
Whether that happens remains to be seen. However, it is safe to say that Josh Wojciechowicz has done his hometown of Bridgeport proud – and he probably is not done.
“I can only thank God for what he’s done for me and my family here,” he said. “I will go wherever He takes me.”
Editor's Note: Ryan and Chris Courtney help Josh Wojciechowicz off the field at Wheeling Island Stadium with 1 second left on the clock as the Indians won a state title in a photo by Ben Queen. Second image shows Wojciechowicz snapping back and blocking, while he pumps up the crowd in the third photo. In the fourth photo, Wojciechowicz is shown after this past May's graduation ceremony sporting a degree and three rings for the team's postseason involvement. In the fifth picture, Josh is surrounded after a game, from left, mother Michelle Wojciechowicz, BHS Coach John Cole, BHS Coach Tyler Phares, and father Jason Wojciechowicz. In the next image, Wojciechowicz shows he still is not afraid to go after the ball carrier. Bottom image shows Wojciechowicz after recovering a fumble for the Orediggers. All additional photos courtesy of Jason Wojciechowicz.
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