🇬🇷SPORTS NEWS🇺🇸

Athan Kaliakmanis Rutgers senior quarterback finished hisoutstanding senior 2025 year with an impressive 229 completions on 368 attempts for 3,124 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, and rushing for two touchdowns. Athan completed the season with a 62.2% completion rate and 147.7 passer rating. This season he was named a Manning Award “Stars of the Week”(Nov.10,2025) following a 4-touchdown passing performance in a 35-20 win over Maryland. He also received recognition in 2025 as a team captain, named to the Academic All-Big Ten List, and a member of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. Athanasios Kaliakmanis has officially declared for the 2026 NFL draft. Congratulations, Συγχαρητήρια!

Dino Kaliakmanis has had the unique experience of enjoying high school and college football with his brother Athan Kaliakmanis. Dino a senior and a talented athlete saw action in nine games for the Scarlet Knights. Dino also caught his first touchdown pass this season in a  Rutgers win over Norfolk State. He also contributed four tackles on special teams including a tackle on kickoff coverage against number one Ohio State. Dino was also named to the All-Academic Big Ten List.

Dino and Athan both had brilliant careers at Antioch Community High School. They are both Antioch High Legends. Constantinos “Dino” Kaliakmanis holds the school record for kick-off returns and as a receiver. Brother Athan connected with Dino for many of those record touchdown catches.

Athan and Dino received unwavering support from the Greek American New Jersey community from the moment they were introduced by distinguished sports executive Charles Theokas.There were Greek Flags waving at their first game and their support grew across the Greek American community nationally. They were role models for many young Greek Americans and we are all so proud of Kaliakmanis brothers. Congratulations, Συγχαρητήρια!

GAS Interview: Angelo how do you feel about your Greek heritage?

I take immense pride in my Greek heritage which has been a cornerstone of my identity and success. Growing up immersed in Greek culture taught me the importance of resilience, teamwork, and a strong work ethic—values that translate directly to the football field. The rich history and traditions of Greece inspire me to tackle challenges head-on, much like the spirit of my ancestors who overcame great odds. Winning a championship and achieving personal milestones feel even more meaningful knowing that I’m honoring my heritage with every step I take. Being Greek is more than just a cultural background for me—it’s a source of strength, pride, and motivation to carry forward the legacy of perseverance and excellence.

The Loukas Brothers of Chicago, three rugged, tough, and fearless Greek American football players, stand out among the many outstanding athletes that not only excelled on the gridiron but were gentlemen off it as befits such true legends of the game. The three brothers Tony, Angelo, and George made their indelible mark on college football.

Tony Loukas was a super star linebacker and  offensive center for Chicago Vocational High School. Tony was a  member of the 1966 University of Wisconsin football team that played Division 1 in The Big Ten Conference. Tony was a versatile outstanding athlete at 6 foot 2 inches, 225 pounds, he played linebacker, offensive tackle and center for the Badgers. Angelo Loukas was a star guard and defensive lineman at Bowen High School. Angelo would play Division 1 football at Northwestern University also in the Big Ten Conference. Angelo in 1969 was a strong standing blocker at 6 foot 3 inches, 250 pounds All Big Ten offensive guard. Angelo went on to play professional football for the Buffalo Bills and the Boston Patriots. George Loukas would also attend Bowen High where he was a stellar running back, also quarterbacked, and played defensive back. George Loukas was a powerful star fullback for Southern Illinois University. In 1971 George would rush for 1,052 yards, including a magnificent 224 yards rushing against Wichita State.

An astonishing fact about them is that all three served as Captains of their Division One football teams. This achievement may possibly be the only instance of its kind for three brothers to captain in college football history. Even more extraordinary, it is these three brothers born in Greece who accomplished this historic, magnificent football feat.

The Loukas brothers have been successful entrepreneurs and remain strong supporters of the Greek American community.

Their parents Konstantinos and Sofia Loukopoulos immigrated to the United States in 1953 from Tarsina, Corinth with their five children including sisters Diane and Stella. All five siblings are college graduates.

Congratulations to SLAA Founder James Pristouris for taking Middle School and High School student-athletes to Greece for basketball educational-athletic tours. Pristouris has connected Greece with our young high school girls and boys basketball community in the United States. The Basketball tour of Greece includes sightseeing the Parthenon, Syntagma Square, ancient ruins, renowned museums, and other iconic historical and cultural landmarks.

SLAA was in Greece last week during school February vacation. The basketball tour started this year with games in Sparta and Megalopolis. The team then visited the Caves of Dirou and enjoyed a delicious Greek meal that evening. The team is scheduled to travel to Athens for twobasketball games, visit the Parthenon, Syntagma, and enjoy delicious authentic Gyro.

Congratulations! Μπράβο!

Maria Orfanos, a 5-3 senior captain for the Salem State Vikings, is having an outstanding season. The senior is averaging 12.5 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals a game. She has had multiple double-figure games and 20-point games, with a season high of 20 points against Framingham State, shooting 4-4 outside the arc to help secure a win for the Vikings. During that week, through two games, she averaged 19 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists, shooting 54.5% from the field. She earned a player of the week for the MASCAC and NEWBA honor roll first team. The MASCAC also interviewed Maria for a student athlete spotlight. Maria is looking to help lead her team to a MASCAC championship. Following the season, Maria will graduate with a bachelor’s in business administration with a concentration in accounting and a minor in economics. She will continue her education in the 4+1 program to obtain her master’s in accounting to help obtain her CPA License. She will join Ernst and Young in September, a big four accounting firm. 

Orfanos attended Bishop Fenwick High School, where she played three years of varsity basketball. In 2021, at the Larry Mclntire IAABO 130 tournament, Orfanos earned the tournament's first team. As a senior captain in her senior year, she helped lead her team to a final four; she was an Agganis All-Star and earned herself Salem News honorable mention. Her love for basketball transpired from playing at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Lynn, Massachusetts at five years old. She attended Greek school and Sunday school, participating in many events in the church, including being a myrofora as a child and in high school. She is profoundly proud to be Greek, as her heritage has helped shape the person she is today- resilience in the face of challenges, a love for culture and learning, and the enduring values of φιλοξενία and honor that continues to guide her life. Her family roots in Greece come from Kalamata, Stoupa, and Monovasia. 

Alexis Sougaris is a sophomore D1 goalkeeper at Stonehill College. Alexis has all the essential skills for being an outstanding goalkeeper such as leadership, exceptional reflexes, mental toughness, advanced ball handling, positional sense, and agility. In the past two seasons she has made 29 career appearances, recorded  eight career shutouts, including 4 in each year, marking the most clean sheets by a Skyhawk goalkeeper since 2018. She has compiled 102 career saves with a combined save percentage of 0.713. Alexis has been named to the NEC Commissioner’s Honor Roll and Academic Honor Roll. Alexis earned NEC prime performer 5 times over the past two seasons. Her defensive effort did not go unnoticed being recognized as Defensive Player of the Week twice.

Alexis is a double major studying political Science and Finance. She is planning to attend Law School after her graduation. She is second generation Greek American and proud of her Greek heritage. Her grandparents were from Northern Epirus.

Peter Psyhogeos a senior at Bates enjoyed Senior Day festivities this week playing his last regular season game against Tufts in Alumni Gym with family and friends that have supported his basketball journey. The Bates College Men’s Hoop Team clinched  an NESCAC tournament Berth since the 2021-2022 season.

The Bates team will head into the NESCAC Championship Tournament as the 5th seed and will face 4th seed Amherst. Peter has had a great basketball career at Bates as a scorer and strong defender. Peter’s dedication and hard work on the court and in the classroom were recognized during his career having been named three times to the NESCAC All-Academic Team, two times receiving All District, and two times being named an Honors Court selection. He is proud of his Spartan heritage and looks forward to traveling to Greece upon graduating. Peter is an Economics Major and is looking forward to beginning his career in Boston.

Every Kuriakee ON AIR WNTN at “12PM-1PM” Grecian Echoes WNTN1550AM from Boston “The Athens of America”The one and only Greek-America Sports show “THE BENCHWARMERS” Hosted by Greek radio legend Ted Demetriades, Bill Galatis, Nick Ypsilantis, and Nick Markopoulos.

Greek Hoop Scoop- Check out Greek Hoop Scoop an amazing Facebook site about all things about Greek Basketball. They cover Greek and Orthodox basketball tournaments, high school, college players, teams, and much more. Terry Poulos, was a long-time Sports Editor for The Greek Star and WindyCityGreek as well as a Greek American media journalist.

The 2026 National Hellenic Invitational Basketball Tournament will be taking place in Chicago on March 27-29th. The NHIBT is celebrating nearly 100 years of Hellenic Basketball Excellence! You can find the NHIBT on the web for registration information, contact NHIBT.INC@GMAIL.COM or call 630-277-7641. NHIBT President Alex Kountoures is welcoming teams throughout the USA and Canada.  

The 70th Harry Agganis Basketball Tournament will be taking place on April 17-19 at The Saint George Community Center in Lynn, Massachusetts. For more information contact John Meklis at 781-526-9200 JMEKLIS@GMAIL.COM also Facebook AGGANIS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT.

For our youth! Για τη νεολαία μας! 🧿

Greek Idiom- Logia Paxia, Λόγια παχιά- Big Words - He is all big words but he does nothing.

Greek Philosophy- “Because it is so unbelievable, the TRUTH, ΑΛΗΘΕΙΑ often escapes being known.”

Greek American Sports is looking for volunteer sports correspondents in high school or college to cover Greek American Sporting events in your community such as basketball tournaments, softball, volleyball, soccer, and more. In addition, we will review video highlights or profiles on outstanding high school talent in your area and state. 

Key Qualities

• Strong interest in sports and your Greek American community.• Clear communication and writing skills for reports and captions.• Comfortable speaking on camera and presenting in a confident way.• Basic video or mobile phone skills include: Some basic knowledge of Framing clear shots, Editing clips and music, Lighting Awareness, Audio Capture minimize background noise to capture clear commentary, Story Telling orally, as well as capturing highlights of key moments of sporting event. Possible volunteer community credits!• You must have Kefi, Greek creativity, passion, and love your community 

• We will review all submissions.

Send your submission to:  greekamericansports@gmail.com Greek American Sports (GAS)