The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (“AHEPA”) announces it’s 2026 AHEPA Hellenic Athletic Hall of Fame selectees. AHEPA is the nation’s largest and longest-tenured Greek-American Hellenic organization, demonstrating philanthropy, community service and the perpetuation of Hellenic ideals.
National Athletic Awards are presented annually to the sports world’s Most Outstanding Greek-American athletes across the spectrum of participation, high school, college, amateur and professional, and in the past have been presented to the likes of Peter Sampras, Greg Louganis, Chris Chelios, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Cody Bellinger, Fred Smerlas and Stefanos Tsitsipas. They represent the Hellenic community’s highest accolades for high school, college, amateur and professional athletes.
The Agganis-Family-Galatis Award is presented to the Most Outstanding Greek-American High School Athlete, and this year’s honoree is Jack Louridas, Albany, New York. Jack recently graduated from Albany Academy as its’ All-time leading scorer with 1,530 career points; he was an All-State selection and led Albany Academy to qualify for the prestigious NEPAC Playoffs in its’ first year in such league; his scoring high was 49 points, and he was selected to the prestigious Capital Classic All-Star Game in Washington, D.C.; Jack will play basketball at Yale University;
The William G. Chirgotis Most Outstanding College Athlete Award is presented to Athan Kaliakmanis, Antioch, Illinois. Athan, who shared the Agganis Family-Galatis Award in 2021 with his brother Dino, had an outstanding college football career as a quarterback at Wisconsin University for two seasons and at Rutgers University the last two years, starting a total of 42 games in his college career.
He had 5,820 passing yards for Rutgers, seventh all-time for that school, along with 38 passing touchdowns, and becoming the first Rutgers quarterback to throw for at least 2,500 yards in back-to-back seasons. His accomplishments were recognized by the National Football League when he was drafted in the seventh round by the Washington Commanders in this year’s draft;
Finally, AHEPA’s premier honor is the Harry Agganis Award, which recognizes the Most Outstanding Worldwide Hellenic Athlete. This year’s selectee is Trevor Zegras, Bedford, New York, for his outstanding professional season as a member of the Philadelphia Flyers National Hockey League team.
Trevor was a member of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program as a high school student at Avon Old Farms, Connecticut and played for the United States Junior Team at the 2021 World Championships where he was named the World Junior’s MVP. He was drafted ninth in the first round by the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League in 2019; however, he elected to play hockey for Boston University where he was third among Division 1 freshman in points with 36 and was a finalist for the Hockey East Rookie of the Year. He has played professionally for three years with the Anaheim Ducks and this season for the Philadelphia Flyers. He was named to the National Hockey League All-Rookie Team in 2022 and this season he had 67 points, 26 goals and 41 assists.
Supreme President Chris Kaitson indicated “AHEPA is proud to recognize an outstanding group of Hellenes; we congratulate all the honorees and are thrilled that AHEPA remains at the forefront of recognizing excellence in athletic achievement. These three National Athletic Awards are the “triple-crown” of athletic achievements, honoring the Most Outstanding Hellenic Athlete at all three (3) levels, high school, college and professional.
These three (3) Greek-American athletes represent not only the stars of today, but certainly athletic prominence in years to come”. Kaitson also indicated “I commend AHEPA’s Athletic Department, led by Supreme Athletic Director Chris Atsaves and Gregory J. Stamos, Chair of the National Athletic Awards, for its dedication in honoring our exceptional Hellenic Athletes”.
Please wait...