FEATURED SENIOR ATHLETE: Khalid Hassar, North Putnam

Khalid is a senior at North Putnam and participates in one sport, football. He is the son of Melissa and Patrick Batman.

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BG: How important are sports to you, and what have you learned from them?

KH: "Sports have taught me how to be a better friend, a better leader and getting better at doing things."

BG: Tell me about football.

KH: "It's been great. We have fun at practice and I feel that's a lot of why we've been as good this year. We're doing good at what we're supposed to be doing."

BG: What’s the most embarrassing thing that had happened to you in a sporting contest?

KH: "Probably getting pancaked 13 times in a game."

BG: What does your game day routine look like?

KH: "I mostly hype myself up, get ready for the game and make sure I know what I'm supposed to be doing."

BG: Do you have any favorite college/pro sports teams or athletes that you follow?

KH: "I keep up with Alabama and Notre Dame."

BG: The first two season for North Putnam football under coach Scott Moore had some stop-start moments to them. Year three has gone very well for the most part. How has this year been, especially being a key contributor to that success?

KH: "It's been great. Through elementary school, I never won a game and then in middle school, I wasn't on a team that had a winning record, so this is my first team with a winning record. It feels amazing."

BG: What else do you do at school besides things involving sports?

KH: "I don't do anything outside of sports."

BG: What do you like to do outside of school and sports?

KH: "I play basketball, hang out with my friends and watch football."

BG: What was the last book you read?

KH: “'The Secret.'"

BG: ...the last television show/movie you watched?

KH: “'Monsters: The Lyle and Eric Menendez Story' that came out on Netflix."

BG: ...the last song you had to listen to right that moment?

KH: “'No Hook 2' by Key Glock."

BG: Your practice/event was canceled for the night. With free time in hand you didn’t anticipate having, what are you off to go do?

KH: “I'd probably go hang out with my friends and enjoy the day."

BG: What is something you have never done before that you would like to do someday?

KH: “Skydiving."

BG: What is your biggest fear?

KH: “Not being good enough. I always want to try my best in every situation."

BG: You’ve been placed in charge of making dinner. What’s on the menu?

KH: “I cook a lot at my home, so I'd probably make a pasta to keep my body healthy."

BG: Do you have any pets?

KH: “I have two dogs, both pitbulls, named Blue and Rambo, and a cat named Delilah that just had five kittens, of which three were adopted and the other two don't have names yet."

BG: If your house were on fire, all living things were already out and you have your keys, cell phone, wallet/purse etc., what is one thing you would go back and get?

KH: “Probably my XBox."

BG: A family member has hit the lottery. After everything is paid off and money is set away for the future, you’ve been asked to buy something you have always wanted to get. What are you asking for?

KH: “I'd get a new home on a nice piece of land."

BG: If you were to describe your personality in one word, what would that word be and why?

KH: “Outgoing. I'm both funny and sarcastic when I talk to people."

BG: What has been your favorite place to visit?

KH: “Probably my bed. I haven't visited many places outside of the football field lately."

BG: What was your favorite school field trip? (From any year, not just high school)

KH: “Junior year, we went to watch 'Frankenstein' at the Indiana Repertory Theater."

BG: How important is support from those around you to your success?

KH: “Very important. If I feel that people don't agree that I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing or don't hype me up or help me, I don't feel like I can have as much success as I could if they were helping and being there for me."

BG: Describe your overall school experience both academically and athletically.

KH: “I haven't had the most amazing grades but they also aren't the worst. Sports are fun and I love playing them. I wouldn't give up anything for sports."

BG: If your school was to offer a class it currently doesn’t, what would you want to see taught?

KH: “How to do your taxes and other things to get ready for the outside world."

BG: What are your plans for after high school, and what career are you headed toward?

KH: “I would like to play football but I'm also very big into culinary arts and want to own open my own business. I want to go to college, get my business degree and learn how to cook even more."

BG: Is it difficult to keep up with your school work being an athlete?

KH: “Not really. I do have free time, not a lot, but enough time to get my work done."

BG: Which particular classes and teachers have helped you the most in high school?

KH: “All my social studies teachers have always helped me in the classroom."

BG: In the future, once you’ve established yourself, and if you had your choice, what is your ideal living situation?

KH: “I'd find somewhere with a lot of land and a house big enough for me. I don't really need much more."

BG: Do you think high school has gone fast, and are you going to miss it?

KH: “I definitely will miss it but there's still a lot more on offer than just high school, so I'm definitely excited to leave. It's been an experience."