Years with the Lancers: 1977-1980 (Owner, Executive Vice-President)
Born: Mersin, Turkey
The last Rochestarian to purchase a principal ownership share with the Lancers. Played professional soccer in his native Turkey for world-renowned clubs Galatasaray SK and Besitkas JK as a striker. Named to the Ankara professional All-Stars in 1957 before moving to the US. Became involved in Rochester soccer through playing for the Italian American Sport Club amateur team from 1958-1962. His friendship with the coach and general manager of the team, Lancers Wall of Famer Tony Pullano, and his love for soccer and Rochester, led to eventually becoming minority owner and Executive Vice-President of the Lancers in 1977. Procured and organized the field advertising for the Lancers and arranged for the extra bleacher seating for the Lancers/Cosmos NASL semi-final playoff match on August 21, 1977 that drew 20,005 fans to Holleder Stadium. Remained with the team until the end of their final season in the North American Soccer League in 1980.
Graduated from Robert College in Turkey and earned an MS in Civil Engineering from Syracuse University. Worked for a Rochester construction firm for 12 years before forming Nory Construction in 1972, a leading Rochester-based company that celebrated its 39th anniversary in 2001. His firm worked on many major public engineering in Rochester, including the Monroe County International Airport and Route 531. Sponsored the Spirit Award for the Special Olympics held in Brockport and started the Special Olympics Chapter in Turkey. Awarded "The Most Successful Engineer" title in New York in 1988 and was elected the "Turkish American of the Year" that year by the Turco-American Association board. Became the world champion in the 1990 International Open Sea Speedboat Championship with his boat “Chairman of the Board".
Said the following about soccer in 1978, “Once you get involved, you can’t get out. Once you get that pleasure and excitement in your blood, it stays forever.” His desire to nurture something of value and importance for his adopted hometown of Rochester helped to make the Lancers a household word among the star-studded teams in the NASL of the late 1970’s.