Американская греческая образовательная прогрессивная ассоциация (AHEPA)

American fraternal organization

The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA, usually referred to as the Order of AHEPA) is a fraternal organization founded on July 26, 1922, in Atlanta, Georgia. AHEPA was founded with a focus on Civil rights, particularly to counteract the Ku Klux Klan. It is the largest and oldest grassroots association of American citizens of Greek heritage and Philhellenes with more than 400 chapters across the United States, Canada, Australia, and Europe. The mission of AHEPA is to promote the ancient Hellenic ideals of education, philanthropy, civic responsibility, family and individual excellence through community service and volunteerism.

Originally AHEPA was organized on a lodge system like that of the Masons or Oddfellows. Local units were called "Subordinate Lodges" and state or territory structures were called "Superior Lodges". Now local groups are called "Chapters" and regional organizations are called "Districts". The national structure is still called the "Supreme Lodge", however, and all of its officers have "Supreme" in their title such as Supreme President, Supreme Treasurer etc. The Order of AHEPA has over 400 chapters across the United States, Canada, and Europe. In addition, the chapters report to 28 different districts. Those 28 districts report to the Supreme Lodge and Headquarters located in Washington, DC.

Originally, membership was restricted to only Greeks. At its third meeting, the Order decided to change this, allowing non Greeks to join. In 1979, AHEPA had over 25,000 members in 400 chapters. By 1989, the number climbed to 60,000, despite an overall decline in memberships of fraternal groups during this period. There have been 540 chapters chartered in the United States, 16 chartered in Canada, 30 chartered in Greece, 5 chartered in Cyprus, and 10 chartered in Europe. There are "sister" chapters in AHEPA Australasia (Australia and New Zealand). An estimated 500,000 men have been inducted into the Order of AHEPA over its 90 year history.

"In accordance with the provisions of the AHEPA Constitution, the Supreme Convention of the Order of AHEPA shall be the highest constituted body of the entire AHEPA; it shall remain in session until it is adjourned by a majority of its members; its powers over the entire Order shall be limited only by the AHEPA Constitution and the AHEPA BYLAWS, over which it shall have the exclusive power to alter; and it shall consist, in its composite whole, of the Voting Members of the Convention. The Supreme Convention has the authority to overturn, overrule, reject or rescind decisions of the Supreme Counselor, Board of Trustees or Supreme Lodge, including the authority to reject, rescind or terminate contracts after the consequences of such action is explained to them. Any such decision of the Supreme Convention to overturn, overrule, reject or rescind any decision of Supreme Counselor, Board of Trustees or Supreme Lodge can be made by a majority vote of the registered Voting Members of the Convention then present and voting at the time as long as those voting in favor represent at least a majority of the Voting Members of the Convention duly registered at such Convention."

A nominated candidate must be of Hellenic descent. Nominated candidate was considered exemplary in their particular sport or athletic field. (Criteria as set forth in the guidelines includes both accomplishments and good character)
Nominated candidate needs to be nominated by an AHEPAN, supported by his chapter, and accompanied by the completion of the appropriate nomination forms attached hereto. A current photograph (head shot) of the candidate, as well as an action shot (if applicable), is requested. Once the nomination application is received, it is reviewed by the selection committee, and determined is thereafter included on the selection ballot.

Member Year inducted Member Year inducted Harry Agganis 1975 Alex Aronis 2000 Dee Andros 1975 George Bollas Sr. 2000 Peter Clentzos 1975 Alex G. Spanos 2000 Alex Kampouris 1975 Peter G. Stark 2000 Alex Karras 1975 Jimmie Angelopoulos 2002 Jim Londos 1975 John Critzos II 2002 Milt Pappas 1975 Charles George 2002 Pete Pihos 1975 Michael Siganos 2002 Lou Tsioropoulos 1975 Peter Angelos 2003 Gus Zarnas 1975 George Dimit 2003 Alex Grammas 1976 Jim Korfas 2003 Johnny Morris 1976 Tom Palis 2003 George Saimes 1976 Jim Carson 2004 Dr. George Kaftan 1977 Jim Daopoulos 2004 James Kekeris 1977 Nick Pappas 2004 Gus Triandos 1977 Lou Skizas 2004 Mike Castronis 1978 Mike Balitsaris 2005 William Mackrides 1978 Chris Kontos 2005 Gus Zitrides 1978 Manuel Scarmoutsos 2005 Arthur Gregory 1979 Ernie Serfas 2005 Billy Loes 1979 Anthony Loukas 2006 Anton Christoforides 1980 George Makris 2006 Gus Niarhos 1980 Carl Angelos 2007 Nick Kerasiotis 1981 George Pappas 2007 Andy Marefos 1981 Andy Sideris 2007 Chris Pelekoudas 1981 John Galaris 2009 Nick Kladis 1982 Greg Manesiotis 2009 Dr. Monthe Kofos 1982 Vasili (Billy) Pappas 2009 Archie Matsos 1982 Pete Sampras 2009 Nick Rassas 1982 Gus Constantine 2010 George Zaharias 1982 Eric Karros 2010 Ted Karras 1983 Steve Lappas 2010 John Maskas 1983 Stanley Maratos 2010 Nick Matis 1984 Art Anastopoulo 2011 Leah Poulos Mueller 1984 Adam Archuletta 2011 Chris Farasopoulos 1985 Nick Kypreos 2011 Dr. George Poloynis 1986 Stan Spirou 2011 Nick Rodis 1986 George Theodore 2011 John Mellekas 1986 Dean Lampros 2012 Plato Andros 1987 Steve Leondis 2012 Louis Manesiotis 1987 Nick Pappageorge 2012 John Karras 1988 Tom Pappas 2012 Menil Mavraides 1988 Leonidas Tsantiris 2012 Eugene Rossides 1989 William Atessis 2013 Nickos Spanakos 1989 Nick Galis 2013 Petros Spanakos 1989 Bill Gazonas 2013 Van Nomikos 1990 Greg Louganis 2013 Peter Tountas 1990 Charles Theokas 2013 Alex Athas 1991 Peter Karmanos Jr. 2014 Bob Costas 1991 Joe Panos 2014 Louis Karras 1991 Matt Stover 2014 Archie Kodros 1991 Kirk Vidas 2014 Mike Schooles 1991 Theodore ("Ted") Leonsis 2015 Nick Conteas 1992 Christina Loukas 2015 Bill Korinthias 1992 Bob Barnek 2015 Lee Palles 1992 Paul J. Kaliades 2015 George Theodoratos 1992 Nicolette Gianulias 2016 Joe Collins 1993 Niko Koutouvides 2016 Ted Gregory 1993 John Margaritis 2016 Spiros Siaggas 1993 Steven Schubert 2016 Chris Vagotis 1993 Christos Tsiotos 2016 Al Campanis 1994 May Kotsopoulos 2017 John Diamantakos 1994 Dan Mavraides 2017 Peter Kouchalakis 1994 Nick Tsiotos 2017 John Scolinos 1994 Aleke Joy Tsoubanos 2017 Jimmy Caras 1995 Dr. James Vailas 2017 George Dales 1995 Harry Cicma 2018 James Poulos 1995 Michele Koclanes 2018 David Psaltis 1995 George Papadakos 2018 Augustus Ganakas 1996 Mark Philippoussis 2018 Dr. Tom Katsimpalis 1996 George Ravanis 2018 John Tsitouris 1996 Lt. Colonel Thomas Bellairs 2019 Paul Xanthos 1996 Valorie Kondos Field 2019 Ernest Afaganis 1997 Peter Laskaris 2019 Phil Bouzeos 1997 Adam Rand 2019 John Pachivas Sr. 1997 George Veras 2019 Lou Tsipis 1997 George John 2020 Nick Sacrinty 1998 Stamos Mazarakis 2020 Robert Samaras 1998 Eleni Rossides 2020 Fred Smerlas 1998 Christopher Soukas 2020 Leo Thalassites 1998 Marcos Baghdatis 2021 George Catavolos 1999 Speros Dedes 2021 Art Demmas 1999 Pyrros Dimas 2021 Tom Laris 1999 Emmanuel Pihakis 2021 Diana Nyad 1999 Kurt Rambis 2021 Stella Sampras Webster 2021 Alex Anthopoulos 2022 Jim Karsatos 2022 Nick Markakis 2022 Tony Pashos 2022 Nick Voris 2022 Samantha Prahalis 2022 George Kokinis 2023 George Kostelis 2023 Alexi Lalas 2023 Nick Mourouzis 2023 Kristofer O'Dowd 2023 Jason Zafiros 2023

AHEPA athletics recognizes outstanding athletic achievements in many ways. AHEPA athletics department award scholarships to deserving scholar athletes who have demonstrated outstanding achievements both in the classroom and the athletic fields. The funds are available through the athletic booster trust fund established through the donations of individuals. AHEPA hosts many regional and national tournaments in sports such as golf, bowling, basketball, and softball. Winners of the tournaments are awarded in many cases free travel to the national tournament during the Supreme convention. The most prestigious AHEPA athletic award is the Harry Agganis Hellenic Athlete Award, which is awarded annually to the outstanding Hellene in the field of athletics professional or amateur of college level and above.

Year Award winner Sport Year Award winner Sport 1955 Alex Aronis Football 1990 Pete Sampras Tennis 1956 George Spanes Football 1991 Karen Choppelas Horstmeyer Basketball coach 1957 Alex Karras Football 1992 Steve Lappas NCAA basketball coach 1958 Lou Tsiriopoulos Basketball 1993 Chris Kontos Hockey 1959 Gus Triandos Baseball 1994 Alkis Panagoulis Soccer coach 1960 Milt Pappas Baseball 1995 John Mitsopoulos Weight lifting 1961 Chris Pelekoudas Baseball umpire 1996 Peter Karmanos Jr. Hockey 1962 Alex Grammas Baseball 1997 Spiros Siaggas AHEPA athletics 1963 George Saimes Football 1998 Peter Clentzos Olympic pole vaulter 1964 NONE NONE 1999 James Daopoulos NFL Super Bowl Referee 1965 Chris Pelekoudas Baseball umpire 2000 John Korfas Basketball 1966 Peter Tountas Bowling 2001 Matt Stover Football 1967 Dee Andros Football 2002 None None 1968 None None 2003 None None 1969 Angelo Loukas Football 2004 Tom Pappas Decathlon 1970 George Allen Track 2005 NONE NONE 1971 George Pappas Bowling 2006 NONE NONE 1972 Gus Ganakas Basketball 2007 NONE NONE 1973 Chris Farasopoulos Football 2008 None None 1974 Alex Strike World Judo Champ 2009 Nick Markakis Baseball 1975 Leah Poulos Olympic Speed Skater 2010 George John Soccer 1976 NONE NONE 2011 Dan Mavraides Basketball 1977 John Scolinos Baseball Coach 2012 William Vlachos Rimington Finalist 1978 NONE NONE 2013 Niko Koutouvides Football 1979 Alec Campanis L. A. Dodgers GM 2014 Kostas Koufos Basketball 1980 Lee Palles Decathlon 2015 Giannis Antetokounmpo Basketball 1981 Fred Smerlas Football 2016 Mike Moustakas Baseball 1982 Art Demmas NFL Referee 2017 Giannis Antetokounmpo Basketball 1983 Greg Louganis Olympic Diving 2018 Dean Karnazes Ultra Marathoner Runner 1984 Mike Castronis NCAA Football Coach 2019 Cody Bellinger Baseball 1985 Greg Louganis Olympic Diving 2020 Stefanos Tsitsipas Tennis 1986 Peter Dalis UCLA Athletic Director 2021 Ted Karras Football 1987 Greg Tafralis Track 2022 Jordan Kyrou Hockey 1988 Tom Patsalis Track 2023 Maria Sakkari Tennis 1989 Chris Chelios Hockey 2024

The AHEPA Family consists of four organizations, the AHEPA (men), Daughters of Penelope (women), Sons of Pericles (young men) and Maids of Athena (young women). AHEPA publishes The AHEPAN, which is the second largest Greek American publication in circulation. The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association also maintains ties with the similar Australasian Hellenic Educational Progressive Association. The order of AHEPA consists of Chapters, Districts, and the Supreme Lodge.