HOCKING ALUM KICKS HIS WAY INTO THE SPOTLIGHT

When Kansei Matsuzawa enrolled at Hocking College in 2019, he had never played football before. In fact, he had only just started kicking months earlier, teaching himself the basics by watching YouTube videos. What he lacked in experience, he more than made up for with determination. At Hocking, Matsuzawa found his stride as a kicker, even connecting on a 50-yard field goal during his sophomore season.

His time as a Hawk put him on the path toward one of the most inspirational journeys in college football. After transferring to the University of Hawaii, Matsuzawa continued to shine. In 2024, he became the Rainbow Warriors’ starting placekicker, finishing the season 12-for-16 on field goals and a perfect 32-for-32 on extra points.

This fall, he captured national attention after nailing a 38- yard game-winning field goal to lift Hawaii over Stanford in the season opener. The moment represented years of hard work, perseverance, and the relentless mindset he carried with him as a student-athlete in Nelsonville. Matsuzawa’s story has been shared by national media, but for us at Hocking, it represents something even more meaningful: proof that talent and drive begin here.

His success is a reminder that with dedication, opportunities extend far beyond the classroom or the field. From Nelsonville to Hawaii, we are proud to call Kansei Matsuzawa a Hawk for life.

Please note: Information for this article was pulled from national news stories.