Growing up in Turkey, life was quite different from what it's like in the U.S. Children aren’t typically encouraged to try multiple sports; instead, they choose one and stick with it. There are also no school sports teams—only club teams exist. Many young athletes stop playing to focus on academics, especially to attend prestigious middle or high schools and colleges. Those who continue playing do so at a highly competitive level across the country.

Hasan began swimming at the age of four, enrolled by his mother, though it wasn’t something he particularly enjoyed. Swimming laps didn’t quite match Hasan's idea of fun. Fortunately, his best friend, Doruk Ozar—whom Hasan had known since they were in diapers—was also on the swim team. But when Doruk and a few other friends switched to water polo, Hasan remained in swimming. They soon began encouraging him to try water polo, and by the time he was 12, with Doruk and his mother’s help, Hasan convinced his own mother to let him give it a shot. Once he started, water polo felt like a refreshing change, offering a more exciting and enjoyable experience than swimming.

Since then, Hasan has excelled in water polo, competing at the national level. A member of the Turkish National Team, Hasan played a key role in securing a third-place finish at the Balkan Games in Bulgaria and led the team to victory at the Barkalov Cup in Ukraine. As part of the senior national team, he competed in the European Championships in Georgia. Hasan also captained the squad during the Balkan Games. At the club level, he played for ASSK, helping the team achieve fourth-place finishes in the 2018, 2019, and 2021 seasons.

While many kids choose to focus solely on academics, Hasan was determined to balance both. He aimed not only to attend a top school but also to continue pursuing his passion for water polo. With this in mind, he began exploring schools that would allow him to do both.

“Water polo is a team sport, which makes it more competitive, but it's very exciting to play,” says Hasan.

Hasan always had a love for school, which fueled his desire to attend college. Eager for new challenges and to push himself beyond his comfort zone, he set his sights on continuing his education in the United States. When deciding on a school, academics were a priority, but having a water polo team was equally important. As a dedicated and talented player, Hasan's passion and work ethic helped him steadily rise through the ranks, preparing him to compete at the next level.

As Hasan started researching schools in the U.S., his close friend Doruk suggested he consider Bucknell University, where Doruk was already enrolled. Doruk painted a compelling picture of Bucknell's culture, highlighting the team dynamic, the experience of training under a highly respected coach in John McBride, and life as an international student. These insights sparked Hasan's interest, leading him to take a closer look at Bucknell.

The moment Hasan set foot on campus, he was thrilled by the excitement of visiting a new country and college. Immersed in a culture and surrounded by people unlike any he had experienced before, everything felt new and different to him.

"You can't compare Lewisburg to where I'm from; they're completely different. I welcomed the new changes—I was just focused on finding a good school," Hasan says.

When he met Coach McBride, Hasan instantly knew he had found the coach he wanted to train with. McBride, his buddy Doruk, and the whole team warmly welcomed him, making Hasan feel at home in Lewisburg.

“It was an incredibly valuable experience playing in college with someone I’ve known my whole life—the person who inspired me to start playing water polo,” Hasan reflected. “I really enjoyed it; we had a fantastic time together here for three years.” says Hasan.

In his first year at Bucknell, Hasan spoke very little English and relied heavily on Doruk for support. Adjusting to classes was a significant challenge. "I had to put in five times more effort than the average person to succeed in American school because of the language barrier," he recalls. However, by the end of his freshman year, Hasan began feeling much more comfortable with both his new life and the language. Throughout that tough first year, the one place that always felt like home to him was the pool.

“We used simple english in the pool which was much easier for me to understand at the time, it was less stressful and wasn’t a problem” Hasan adds.

As a center defender for the Bison, Hasan has become an essential part of the program's goals. "He’s at every practice, working hard to improve. He’s very coachable—just an all-around great guy," recalls Coach McBride.

Hasan has fully embraced everything Bucknell has to offer, contributing significantly to the Bison's competitiveness throughout his four years on the team. Coach McBride credits Doruk for bringing Hasan to his attention.

“It’s a very valuable experience being here as an international student, you make great friends, I have great relationships with my professors, my coaches and since I came here I learned alot about life and matured because of it all,” he says.

As the anchor of the defense, Hasan provides a strong presence in the water. Not only is he an excellent shooter, but he also brings a calming influence to his teammates. He remains composed under pressure, never overreacting or letting opponents get into his head. His maturity and ability to handle high-level competition make him an invaluable asset to the team.