By Adriana Betancourt
From Izmir, Turkey, to DeKalb, Illinois, Atahan Arslan’s journey as a first-generation international student-athlete is powered by resilience, family and determination.
While pursuing his major in sports management with minors in marketing and history, he has built a remarkable journey that blends athletics, leadership and academic success.
In addition to his schoolwork and being a part of Huskie soccer, Arslan currently serves as treasurer on the Huskie Sports Administration E-Board. His path to NIU was shaped by the welcoming environment he found both on the field and in the classroom.
“As an international first-generation student, you can feel the loneliness easily, especially when you don’t have anybody in the U.S. except yourself,” Arslan said. “NIU made this experience smooth for me and made me feel welcomed and cared for all around. That’s the crucial part that made me call NIU home.”
Arslan’s passion for soccer began in his childhood. One of his favorite memories is watching the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa with his father.
“The passion I saw on his face during those games was exceptional. I had never seen that kind of expression besides soccer. That moment sparked my love for the game,” he said.
He began playing soccer 10 years ago when he was in elementary school.
“I never really thought of soccer as something I pursued seriously,” Arslan explained. “It was always something I did with my friends to have fun.”
That perspective changed during a difficult moment in his life when his mother was diagnosed with cancer.
“I didn’t play soccer for three years during that time,” Arslan said. “But when I finally played again, I saw the spark in my mother’s eyes after her first chemotherapy. That moment made me realize I needed to keep playing to keep that spark alive.”
As an international student-athlete, Arslan says his experience moving to the United States helped shape his leadership style.
“Coming here was a big risk,” Arslan said. “When you take a risk like that, you want to make it worth it. It made me more confident in making decisions and taking chances.”
His experience has also helped him become more aware of what others may be going through.
“It taught me that everyone is going through something you may not see,” Arslan said. “That’s why I try to check on the people around me whenever I can.”
Balancing NCAA Division I athletics while maintaining a 3.67 GPA requires discipline, but Arslan credits his success to his support system and those around him.
“This is pure teamwork,” Arslan said. “Our athletic trainer Dan Krout, our coaches, my counselor Shyann Beach and our professors have always been supportive and flexible with my schedule. I just try to repay their efforts by giving my best effort as well.”
Beyond the field and classroom, Arslan has also gained professional experience in international partnerships and player placement. He says the skills he developed as a goalkeeper have been translated into business decision-making.
“As a sports management major interested in sports sales and investment, I’ve had the opportunity to build B2B connections and develop sales skills,” Arslan said. “Being fluent in both English and Turkish has also allowed me to help encourage younger students in Turkey to pursue an education in the United States.”
Arslan’s dedication has earned him recognition as both an All-Tournament Team member and an All-Scholar Athlete Team honoree for an achievement that reflects excellence both athletically and academically.
“Recognition for hard work is always a great feeling,” Arslan said. “But the most meaningful part is sharing it with the people who have supported me from the beginning. That’s why I gave my plaque to my mother so she could hang it on her wall.”
Looking ahead, Arslan hopes to leave a positive legacy within NIU’s College of Business.
“I would love to leave a positive impact before I graduate,” Arslan said. “Right now, the best thing I can do is set a good example of having good grades, helping people who help me, building my career and helping the next generation find their way. If I can succeed in even a couple of those things, I’ll feel like I left my mark.”
