There were 23 new players added to the Southeast Missouri State University football team this season. The players come from all around the country, but only one has traveled overseas from Australia to play as a Redhawk. His name is Eddie Kocwa.

This new kicker came to Cape Girardeau to experience playing football, which is something he's never done before.

"Kicking is the only position I can play," Kocwa said. "I grew up playing rugby; no one in Australia plays American football."

Kocwa spent years playing rugby and soccer throughout his childhood. He played fullback and fly half in rugby, and midfielder and defender in soccer. Kocwa has had plenty of experience kicking and tackling but the American version of football is still very different than what he's used to.

"The rugby ball is bigger and easier to kick and there's not as much pressure with kicking in rugby like it is in American football," Kocwa said.

Southeast heard about Kocwa from a company called Ozpunt. Ozpunt is affiliated with American colleges that send Australian kickers and punters to schools overseas.

"Getting a degree in America is more respected than getting a degree in Australia," Kocwa said.

The company sent out e-mails for Kocwa and they received many responses from several different colleges across the country. Along with Southeast, Kocwa visited Wagner, Central Methodist, Incarnate Word, Humbult and Albany State.

Southeast stood out from the other schools. Running backs and special teams coach Chris Norris kept in constant contact with Kocwa for eight months as he was making his decision on where to go.

"He was very driven and came over to visit a bunch of schools on his own time," Norris said. "We had a chance to meet, and we had a very good conversation. He has a strong leg and a great work ethic. He is willing to do whatever it takes to be successful."

One of the reasons Kocwa was attracted to Southeast was because of last year's winning season.

"It seemed like a really good winning program," said Kocwa. "It had a winning feel to it."

Kocwa has only been at Southeast since Aug. 2. He has been learning fast, according to his teammates and has become more accustomed to American football.

"His punting has improved," senior kicker Drew Gelbach said. "We've been friends since we got here because we roomed together in camp and he gets along with people just fine."

"He's a great kicker," said junior long snapper Brandon Gabbert. "Hopefully in the remaining years he will put many points on the board for us."