He was both an honorable mention All-American and the East Coast Conference Player of the Year in 1981.

[1] Hatzenbeller received a scholarship to play for nearby Drexel University, where from 1977 to 1981 he set eight then-school records, including the single season marks for scoring average (21.4), points (589) and field goals (214).

[3][4][5] After graduation, Hatzenbeller was selected in the 1981 NBA draft by the Indiana Pacers (8th round, 174th overall)[6] but never played in the league.

[7] In 1981–82 he competed for a professional team in Uppsala, Sweden before returning to the United States.

[8] In December 1982 he was one of the final cuts of the Continental Basketball Association's Rochester Zeniths.