Getting to Know Aaron Wascha
Published on June 20, 2018 under Arena Football League (AFL)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
PHILADELPHIA, PA - Aaron Wascha. For many Soul fans, Wascha's name is unfamiliar, as he was one of the few rookie players on the 2018 Soul roster. But after his 7-touchdown and 208-yard performance in Week 10, fans have gone as far as inquiring about Aaron Wascha jerseys for sale. So who IS Aaron Wascha?
Wascha, who grew up in Swartz Creek, Michigan, was a natural-born athlete who played many sports as a child, thanks to his mom who signed him up for everything. He began playing football in the fourth grade and was the only member of his immediate family to play the sport. Wascha was a running back for most of his early football years, including his first two years of high school, until he transitioned to wide receiver. In high school Wascha also played basketball and was a track star his senior year, as he went to states in both the long and high jump events.
Wascha continued his education at Michigan State where, contrary to popular belief, he did NOT play football and he majored in kinesiology.
"Everyone just assumes that I played at Michigan State," said Wascha. He attended a game or two for fun with his friends, but that was the only collegiate football exposure he had.
After finishing his undergraduate studies in 2012, Wascha took his first job as a strength and conditioning coach and football coach at a local high school in Michigan. It was here that he realized desire to continue playing football.
"Being around football constantly, I realized that I had a true passion for it," said Wascha. "And I knew then that I wanted to continue it as a career."
Wascha had gone about 10 years without playing football and many would consider a career in the sport a long-shot after this much time off. However, Wascha was motivated to earn his chance to make football his life.
In 2016, Wascha played in the Rivals Professional Football League, where he led the league in receiving yards and touchdowns. After gaining some more recent football experience, Wascha attended the Philadelphia Soul Open Tryout in January of 2017, which gained him an invitation to training camp.
"One of my former coaches and I found out about the tryout only five days before it happened," said Wascha. "So I packed real quick and we drove in from Michigan."
Unfortunately, Wascha's 2017 Soul season ended before it really began after he injured his hamstring during training camp. This turn of events motivated Wascha even more to come back stronger than ever, as he spent the 2017 season training.
"In that off-season, all I could think about was getting back out there," explained Wascha. "So I put everything I had into getting in shape and getting back to football."
This year, Wascha reached out to Soul Head Coach Clint Dolezel to tell him that he was ready for another chance to be a part of the Soul family.
"Aaron's athleticism really stuck out to me when we first saw him," said Dolezel. "Just off that alone I knew he would be able to bring some real talent to the team."
So far in this 2018 season, Wascha has participated in six of ten games and scored at least one touchdown in five straight games in which he's participated in, with Week 10 being his best game of the year. Last Saturday night, Coach Dolezel called Wascha in at wide receiver in place of fan-favorite and Soul veteran Shaun Kauleinamoku, who left the game because of injury.
"That was my time to step up," said Wascha. "I feel like I earned some respect from the team which boosts my confidence for sure."
So what does the rest of the season hold for Wascha? He tends to think more in-the-moment and how he can help his team from week to week, whether he's starting at wide receiver or not.
"The energy of the team is definitely good right now," said Wascha. "I'm just going to approach the next game and the rest just like any other game."
Watch Aaron Wascha and the rest of the Soul go head-to-head with the Washington Valor (1-8) in Washington, D.C. on Friday, June 22nd at Capital One Arena. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. and fans can watch live on NBC Sports Philadelphia +, on Facebook WATCH, or listen live on 97.5 The Fanatic.
Arena Football League Stories from June 20, 2018
- Brigade to Host "Maryland Night" Saturday at Royal Farms Arena - Baltimore Brigade
- Brigade's Powell Named AFL Defensive Player of the Week - Baltimore Brigade
- AFL Awards Week 10 Players of the Week - AFL
- Getting to Know Aaron Wascha - Philadelphia Soul
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