T-L Photo/SETH STASKEY LINSLY SENIOR Thomas Aronokhale signed his National Letter of Intent to play football in 2019 for the Ohio University Bobcats during a ceremony at Linsly Wednesday morning. Aronokhale is flanked by head coach B.J. Depew (left) and Demtrius Youngblood (right) and Chris Kiedaisch (behind).

WHEELING — Often times it takes sacrifices to realize a dream.

And sometimes it takes sacrifices by many.

Such is the case for Linsly School senior Thomas Aronokhale, whose dream has been to play Division I football.

Since that’s not something that’s too often realized by Austrian citizens, Aronokhale — and his family — had to make some tough decisions.

After getting involved with an organization called Gridiron Imports, which is set up to help European student-athletes with strong desires to play collegiately in the United States find a high school in the states to help alleviate the transition, Aronokhale reached his goal and will have the opportunity he sought.

“It helps kids get over here, get into high school and they helped me get here,” Aronokhale said. “I hoped it would work out and I knew it would be a lot of hard work, so I am excited.”

The decisions paid dividends Wednesday morning inside Banes Hall on the Linsly campus when Aronokhale formally signed and faxed his National Letter of Intent to join the Ohio University football program.

“I fell in love with the campus, coaches and the guys on the team (at OU),” Aronokhale said. “It honestly felt like home there. Having the chance to play at the Division I level has always been my goal, so I am definitely honored to have the chance.”

While many who signed letters of intent throughout the country on Wednesday will be leaving home for the first time, moving from Wheeling to Athens compared to Austria to Wheeling will seem like going from Elm Grove to Warwood.

“My mom has been to the United States before, but she’s not seen me play or been here to Linsly,” Aronokhale said. “It’s been tough at times being away from the family, but it’s something you have to adjust to. She’s going to be able to get over here in the spring for graduation, so I am excited about that.”

Outside of his research through the Internet and Google Maps, Aronokhale had no idea what to expect when he arrived during the summer of 2017 in the Ohio Valley to join the Cadets.

“It was really tough on me and my family, but the people here have made me feel welcome,” Aronokhale said. “There are a lot of people who love me here and I love them back. I have made so many friends with the kids in the school and their families here. It’s just a great place with great people.”

Aronokhale credited his two years at Linsly for his growth not only as a player, but as a person and as a student.

“Linsly has been a big help to me,” Aronokhale said. “From the testing stuff to getting into college and developing life skills that I didn’t have that will certainly help me when I get to college.”

Similar to his stay at Linsly, the way in which the Ohio program “made him feel welcome” was one of the biggest selling points on Ohio.

“I took an official and I was down there last spring for the spring game,” Aronokhale said. “It really felt right compared to the other schools that had offered me.”

Aronokhale, who said he projects as a guard with the Bobcats, isn’t sure what’s in store for him next year in terms of playing time. He knows a red shirt is possible and actually doesn’t have an issue with that if that’s the route head coach Frank Solich and his staff elect to go.

“I am not sure about the depth chart, but I’ll just work as hard as I can and see what happens,” Aronokhale said.

During his two seasons as a starter for Coach B.J. Depew’s team, Aronokhale graded out at 89 percent blocking and finished with 46 pancake blocks. On the defensive side of the ball, Aronokhale caused opposing offenses all sorts of trouble. He logged 101 tackles, including 14 for loss and three sacks, while forcing three fumbles.

“I think I played alright in my two years

Aronokhale, who served as a team co-captain, was named the recipient of the ‘Stobbs Award’ which goes to the Cadets’ top senior lineman. He was also first-team all-Ohio as a junior and honorable mention this season. He was second-team all-Valley.

Prior to arriving at Linsly, Aronokhale played for the Swarco Raiders club team in Austria for two seasons.

Aronokhale will become the second Cadet on the Bobcats’ roster. He joins Chuck Chuckwu, who is a red-shirt sophomore and a reserve defensive lineman.

“I’ve met Chuck a couple of times,” Aronokhale said. “He’s a good guy.”

Thomas is undecided about what his major will be at Ohio, but he’s leaning toward pursuing a business degree.