WASHINGTON, D.C. — The George Washington University Department of Athletics proudly unveiled the members of the 2025 Hall of Fame Class who will be enshrined on Friday, December 5, as the university celebrates the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Charles E. Smith Center.
Elected by a group of 11 after a public nomination process, the 2025 Hall of Fame Class includes: Jessica Adair (women’s basketball), Yinka Dare (men’s basketball), Atakan Destici (men’s water polo), Fran Dias (men’s tennis), Lauren Whyte (volleyball) and special inductee Dr. Robert Chernak (administration).
Atakan Destici
A native of Istanbul, Turkey, and a graduate of Istek Acibadem Anatolian, Destici is in the conversation for best men’s water polo player in the history of the GW program after a decorated career in the Buff & Blue that saw him earn Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) All-America Honorable Mention honors twice (2016, 2018), All-Conference First Team honors four times (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019), and Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference (MAWPC) Championship All-Tournament honors every season (2016 – First Team; 2017 – Second Team; 2018 – First; 2019 – Second Team) at George Washington. A three-time team Most Valuable Plyaer, he holds the school record for most career assists (238), ranks second in career points (497), second in field blocks (57), fourth in steals (220) and sixth in goals (259). Destici’s team won a pair of MAWPC Championships in four title team appearances (2016-to-2019) as the team placed second in 2016 and 2019, while capturing the 2017 (8-5 W vs. Wagner College at the United States Naval Academy) and 2018 (12-11 W OT vs. Bucknell University at Fordham University) crowns. A leader on both of GW’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Championship tournament teams in 2017 and 2018, he helped the 2018 squad reach the NCAA Championship quarterfinals.
The induction ceremony will take place at 6:00 pm on December 5th, with a reception to follow at 7:00 pm. For further details on the evening and to purchase tickets, CLICK HERE.
