Let the Great Debate begin. Who is the greatest Greek-American athlete of all time? Who are the top 20? The National Herald readers will help decide with an online poll for voting in a Special Section, offering 50 nominees – plus room for a write-in for those who pick 19 and feel someone has been left out.
The list was put together with the invaluable assistance of AHEPA Athletic Hall of Fame Director Greg Stamos, who knows more about the field than perhaps anyone and has overseen the induction of many of them over the years.

He helped convince that only one without Greek heritage – Olympic Gold Medalist Greg Louganis – deserved to be on the list because he grew up in a Greek family after being adopted.

It won’t be easy because Greek-Americans have stood out in virtually every sport including baseball, basketball, hockey, track and field, soccer, wrestling, tennis, diving, fencing, martial arts, boxing, running, and skating.

The names ring out from over the decades: Londos, Sampras, Chelios, Lalas, Maroulis, Agganis, Pihos, Karros, Karras, Moustakas, Galis, Matsos, Smerlas, Grammas, Loes, tying our community together over the years.

The poll will go online and your picks will help decide who makes the TNH Top 20 and in what order. Your selections, however, don’t have to be in order, just list 20 or 19 plus a write-in.

For those who want to be more involved, TNH offers the chance for you to write up to 200 words on your #1 pick and why, and if you want, send a headshot and we will pick from among them to be put in the Special Section to be published later this summer.

Here’s a sneak peek so you can begin your thinking.

TNH TOP 50 ATHLETE NOMINEES

1. Lou Tsioropoulos – Basketball
2. Nick Spanakos – Boxing
3. Pete Spanakos – Boxing
4. Nick Calathes – Basketball
5. Dean Karnazes – Runner
6. Leah Poulos – Speedskating
7. Milt Pappas – Baseball
8. Eric Karros – Baseball
9. Gene Rossides – Football
10. Christina Loukas – Diving
11. Chris Farasopoulos – Football
12. Mike Moustakas – Baseball
13. Harry Agganis Football/Baseball
14. George Parros – Hockey
15. Nick Galis – Basketball
16. Jimmy Carson (Kyriazopoulos)  – Hockey
17. Pete Sampras – Tennis
18. Archie Matsos – Football
19. George Saimes – Football
20. Anton Christoforidis – Boxing
21. Alex Karras – Football
22. Tom Pappas – Decathlete
23. Nick Rodis – Football
24. Pete Pihos – Football
25. Jim Londos – Wrestling
26. Fred Smerlas – Football
27. Bill Atessis – Football
28. Alexei Lalas – Soccer
29. Chris Chelios – Hockey
30. Gus Triandos – Baseball
31. Alex Kampouris – Baseball
32. Alex Grammas – Baseball
33. Billy Loes – Baseball
34. Kosta Koufos – Basketball
35. Nick Fotiu – Hockey
36. Nick Markakis – Baseball
37. Cody Bellinger – Baseball
38. Matt Stover – Football
39. Greg Louganis – Diving
40. Helen Maroulis – Freestyle Wrestling
41. Matt Stover – Football
42.   Alexei Pappas – Running
43.  Alexander Massialas – Fencing
44.  Nick Mantis – Basketball
45.  Gus Niarhos – Baseball
46.  Kurt Rambis – Basketball
47.  Joe Panos – Football
48.  Gust Zarnas – Football
49. Billy Gazonas – Soccer
50. Lonnie Paxton – Football

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