Education:
Bates College, BA; Lewiston, ME
Subject Areas at Winch: Humanities
Email: jhasson@winchendon.org
John Hassan has had a storied career as a writer, specifically with ESPN as a journalist and editor. John had the opportunity to attend Super Bowls, World Series games, NBA Finals games, US Open tennis matches, Ryder Cup matches, and many other events he never thought he’d get to experience in person. He has also done work with the V Foundation For Cancer Research (ESPN’s main charitable endeavor), and has collaborated on memoirs with Cheech Marin and Kenny Leon.
John also wrote his college thesis on the lyrics of the Beatles after being touched by the death of John Lennon: “My advisor was game but told me I was taking a risk as a rock and roll band had never been the subject of an English thesis at Bates and he wasn’t a huge fan of their music. I got a B+ and was, of course, greatly disappointed. During our meeting to review the entire project, my professor sensed my underlying frustration and said ‘Before we go any further, Mr. Hassan, I must tell you that I do not give out grades of B+ like cocktail peanuts.’ It was the perfect comment at just the right time in my journey to adulthood”.
John also loves golf and hiking, and will have plenty to explore in the Winchendon area. Clearly a well rounded reader and engaged consumer of culture, he also enjoys reading, movies, and listening to music. Music is his main passion; his favorite thing to do is to go hear and see live music. In a perfect world, that’s all he would do – a perfect audience member for our music concerts each season here at Winch.
- Superpower of choice: I would like to be able to fly.
- Go to comfort food: Chicken parmigiana.
- Hero/heroine: Alan Turing and Rosa Parks.
- Song to start the day: “Take the “A” Train” by Duke Ellington, from the “70th Birthday Concert” album.
