The American Hellenic Athletic Educational Progressive Association (“Order of AHEPA”) announced the awarding of two distinguished honors, to be presented at AHEPA’s 101st Annual National Convention, at the Athletic Luncheon on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Patrick Panagopoulos, Santa Fe, New Mexico, has been selected as the District Athletic Director of the Year. Each district in the AHEPA domain sponsors athletic teams and competitions and advances Athletics, an important component of the AHEPA family. Patrick accomplished much in District 17, spearheading and raising over $40,000 for charity. He organized Greek Night at the United States Professional Soccer League, and he is the organizer of the Hellas Greek Soccer Indoor Team.
The Honorable Thomas C. Yeotis, of Flint, Michigan, is the recipient of an AHEPA Special Recognition Lifetime Achievement Award for his leadership in and support of AHEPA and Hellenic athletes for over 70 years. Judge Yeotis was a founding member of the AHEPA Athletic Hall of Fame, serving as its first secretary and later as chairman. For over 50 years, Tom coached the AHEPA Flint Chapter 141 Basketball Team. Under Tom's leadership, Flint Chapter 141 is the only chapter that has sponsored three National AHEPA Sports Tournaments (basketball, softball and bowling). In 1982, Tom coached the AHEPA All-Star Team that played in Greece. He is a member of the National Hellenic Invitational Basketball Tournament Hall of Fame and the Greater Flint Area Sports Hall of Fame. Professionally, Tom has been a Circuit Court Judge for over three decades. The Order of AHEPA is honored by this recognition of it’s esteemed Brother Tom, for his lifetime of dedication to Hellenism, AHEPA and Athletics.
Supreme President Jimmy Kokotas applauded these selections by the Athletic Department, noting that the honorees represent the future of AHEPA leadership in that District Athletic Director Patrick Panagopoulos is 22 years of age, and the rewarding of decades of selfless leadership and service by Judge Yeotis. As Kokotas noted… “in addition to the awarding of scholarships and the honoring of professional athletes, it is important that AHEPA continue to acknowledge it’s true essence, that of volunteerism and devotion to the values and programs of the Order of AHEPA, as personified by Patrick and Judge Yeotis."
