The Story of Thomas Rohl
Born June 27th 1958 in the City of Calgary,grew up in the James Fowler neighborhood. Thomas played a lot of park football. He tried out at James Fowler in High School, his size and speed were an asset to him but unrecognized at the High School level they played him on the line. He ventured into Flag football and played for many years, always teaching others along his way.
In 1981 he met Jane and it was not long before 3 sons came along Tyrell, Nolan and Logan. His love for the game was then added to his sons. He spent many weekends with his sons and their friends and many other neighborhood kids teaching and playing the great game of football . In 1995 Storm Bantam football Team was started in Airdrie. Thomas spent that 1st year watching his son Tyrell play the game and assisting the team wherever he could. In 1996 he became a fulltime Coach with the Airdrie Storm. Thomas worked hard to get the kids of Airdrie interested in football, he would go into the schools before school started just to teach skills and drills and get the kids interested. Thomas has watched each of his sons excel at football and many others he considers sons. Tyrell and Nolan and many others he taught went to Calgary Bantam Selects. As each of his sons finished playing they helped to Coach. Thomas and his sons have continued to strive to teach the kids in Airdrie the great game of football. Thomas spent 7 years with the bantam Storm, and after a 3 year holiday he has returned at the younger level to teach atom and peewee. His sons continue to assist him in Coaching. Thomas's greatest joy is seeing the lights go on in a child when he figures out what the game is all about. Football is the greatest team sport each player and member of the Team has to rely on each other.
When Thomas is not thinking up plays or Coaching he spends his leisure time playing guitar and singing, going camping and hanging with his family.
Thomas presently works as an AutoCAD draftsman at Stantec Industries in Calgary, his career choices have included cabinetmaking, wrangling at Kanaskis Guest Ranch, sleigh rides at Lake Louise and a ticketed pipefitter and he even worked at the Stampede as a short order cook.
Thomas continues to strive to be the best Coach he can be he works hard to keep the kids safe and tough. He has learned as much from his sons and the Kids he Coaches as he hopes they have learned from him. His dedication to the kids is what is most important. |
