MARIANNE HASSAN
2023 INDUCTION TO THE RHODE ISLAND AQUATIC HALL OF FAME
Marianne learned how to swim and embarked on a swimming career at the Barrington YMCA and Barrington High School from 1972 to 1982, spending most of this time under the mentorship and coaching by RIAHOF member Sandy Gorham. As an age group swimmer, she was the state champion in various events including freestyle, Individual medley, and backstroke events. Marianne established and broke state records in the 100, 200, and 500 freestyle events. In January 1977 at Danvers Dolphins Invitational (MA), Marianne became the first 12 and under girl to break one (1) minute barrier in the 100-yard free. At the Southeast New England YMCA Championship Annual Swim Meets, Marianne won multiple events each year from 1976 through 1982. In addition to swimming for the YMCA and winning multiple championships, Marianne also competed in state and regional AAU competitions and in the Narragansett Swim League (summer league dual meets and All Pool Meet competition where she won numerous events.
As a swimmer and later co-captain of the Barrington High School team (which did not separate boys from girls), Marianne, in the State Championship meet of her freshman year, placed 8th in the 500-yard freestyle; and, was a member of the freestyle relay that placed 3rd. This was an iconic meet when Cumberland beat Barrington 217 to 216.
In 1982, Marianne competed for the Little Rhody Aquatic Club in USS swim meets and continued representing Barrington YMCA in YMCA championship meets. Often, she was a champion at the USS Rhode Island Senior Championship meets and at the USS New England Short Course Championship meets. In 1982 competing in the 15 – 18 Age Group, Marianne earned the High Point award at the New England Senior Short Course Championships. In addition, Marianne competed in the USS Long Course Swim Championships and participated in the YMCA Nationals. At the 1982 New England USS Long Course Championships, Marianne placed second in the 200-meter freestyle and qualified for National Junior’s. She was a member of the RI All Star team that traveled to Virginia in 1974 and hosted Montreal All-Stars in 1976. She was a Zone team participant in 1980 and 1982 and a Region 1 Qualifier in 1981 and 1982. At Barrington YMCA, Marianne was the recipient of the Florence Fillippo Award in 1976 and the Swimmer of the Year Award in 1981.
After graduation from High School, Marianne enrolled and competed at Duke University and in 1987 was recognized as the Duke University Most Valuable Women’s Swimmer. She has received numerous awards for her contributions to aquatics as an outstanding performer and volunteer. She continued her passion and love of swimming by working in North Carolina as a founder of Little Devils swim program at the Duke Faculty Club, Coaching, officiating, and directing programs and meets. Interestingly, while living internationally, Marianne was the founder and Coach of the Desert Mermaids swim program at Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi.
While Marianne now resides in Rensselaer, New York where she is Office of the Provost Chief of Staff at the State University of New York’s System Administration and the Executive Director of the SUNY Impact Foundation, she remains an active member of the Duke Faculty Club (NC) where you can find her by the outside pool several weeks a year; and if your timing is lucky, you will find her in the Bayside YMCA pool on Sunday mornings while she visits her mother, brother Bob and sister-in-law.