Spotlight on Oday Aboushi

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Junior OT Oday Aboushi has been named the Atlantic Coast Conference’s Offensive Lineman of the Week twice in 2011. In this spotlight, Aboushi answers questions about the team, the season so far and what it’s like being one of 10 children growing up in New York.

Question: What was your first football memory?
Aboushi: When I was six years old, I was a kicker and kicked off and I was the first one to get tackled down the field. From then on, I knew I was on to something.

Question: What was your decision making process like before committing to Virginia?
Aboushi: I knew going to college, I wanted to go to a school with really good academics as well as great competition and great football. I found a great home at Virginia where you play in the ACC and there is always great competition as well as great academics in a really nice area.

Question: When you are away from your home state of New York, what do you miss about it?
Aboushi: I guess just the speed. It’s a whole different lifestyle in New York. Everything is so much faster and everybody is always in a rush for no reason, but that’s the lifestyle. I guess just the speed of society and life in New York is just way different than the slow calm Charlottesville.

Question: How would you describe your growing up being one of 10 children?
Aboushi: It was like being born into a football team. Being one of 10, there is always something to do with somebody. It was a lot of fun growing up. We always had each other. We were each other’s best friends. Growing up was a lot of fun, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Question: Are your siblings athletic like you?
Aboushi: Yes, I have an older brother who used to play football at Fordham in New York, but other than that, that’s pretty much it.

Question: Earlier this season you were honored at a reception for Muslim-American athletes hosted by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. What was that experience like?
Aboushi: It was a great experience. When I got the invitation I didn’t know what to expect. It was a little far-fetched. Once I looked into it and I got more information on it I was really happy that I made the event. I got to see a lot of great athletes from around the country. It was really great hearing everybody’s story about life and seeing how far athletics took them. Having that appreciated by the Secretary of State was very nice.

Question: As an offensive lineman, do you ever feel like an unsung hero because you don’t necessarily have stats?
Aboushi: Not really. I know what I have to do. We all play a big part of the team as far as winning. Whether we don’t have stats, rushing yards, or touchdowns, we’re all a part of it and the running backs and the coaches are always encouraging us.