Five practices, three lifts and two games per week. All these things are done while attending a regular class schedule and having to deal with homework, quizzes and exams. Student-athletes face lots of responsibilities, something Drexel University soccer goalkeeper Ben Hanas knows all about that. The 18-year-old student-athlete majors in Exercise Science and gives up a lot of his free time to be successful on and off the field.
Hanas grew up in Danvers, Massachusetts always thinking about sports. He started playing soccer at the age of five and later played for the Major League Soccer Next team Boston Bolts. Outside of soccer, Hanas also competed in varsity basketball and indoor track and field for his high school, Danvers High School.
After graduating from Danvers in 2024, Hanas moved from Massachusetts to Philadelphia. The step to Drexel was a no-brainer for the freshman athlete.
“The combination of being able to major in Exercise Science, which is a major you don’t see a lot of schools having, and being able to play Division I soccer here at Drexel was an opportunity I just had to take,” says Hanas.
After his soccer career, Hanas does not want to leave sports behind.
“For me, working as a strength coach, chiropractor, athletic trainer or orthopedic doctor for a professional sports team would be amazing,” says the 18-year-old about his career aspirations. He continues: “I always wanted to have a job where I can help people and impact the world in a good way.”
Drexel’s Exercise Science was the perfect fit for Hanas, who works hard to pursue his career goals. In both of his first two quarters, the goalie has made Drexel’s Dean’s List averaging a 3.93 GPA.
The 18-year-old is not only working hard in school, but also putting a lot of effort into his athletic career. As a Division I soccer player, Hanas’ days are packed. During the Fall season, he sometimes ends up having to attend multiple practices, while also juggling games, lifts, classes and assignments per week. Some of the games have taken the 6’2” goalkeeper to places like Elon, North Carolina and Madison, Wisconsin.
“It can definitely get overwhelming at times with soccer and school but as long as you plan out your day, know when things need to get done and you don’t procrastinate, it’s all easy to get done”, explains Hanas, who often ends up sacrificing the little free time that remains for working on homework assignments or studying for exams. Good planning and being disciplined are the keys to success for Hanas.
Another benefit for the student-athlete is that he enjoys his Exercise Science classes at Drexel. “Learning about the body, how it works and how it moves is really cool because it translates directly to soccer,” says Hanas, who also enjoys the state-of-the-art resources of Drexel’s College of Nursing and Health Professions program.