The Alpha Omega Council Honors Gala 2025 drew a sold-out crowd of 400 guests to Boston’s InterContinental Hotel on November 1. This record-breaking event raised over $150,000 through sponsorships and donations. Guests celebrated Greek American sports excellence, with a special tribute to Harry Agganis, the “Golden Greek.” A life-size statue of Agganis stood alongside the 2013 and 2018 Red Sox World Series trophies. Moreover, the Alpha Omega Honors Gala 2025 seamlessly blended philanthropy, heritage, and athletic pride.
Attendees enjoyed a cocktail hour featuring the Agganis Exhibit by sculptor Armand LaMontagne. Emcee Maria Stephanos, WCVB anchor and past honoree, hosted with flair. She has covered iconic Boston sports moments, from Red Sox wins to Patriots triumphs. Therefore, the Honors Gala 2025 strengthened bonds within the Hellenic community in New England.
Alpha Omega Council Honors Gala: Harry Agganis Legacy
Harry Agganis rose from Lynn, Massachusetts, to stardom at Boston University. He chose baseball with the Red Sox over pro football in 1954. His career ended tragically at age 25, but his impact endures. The Agganis Foundation, supported by owner Tom Yawkey, continues to fund scholarships today. A tribute video at the Alpha Omega Honors Gala 2025 moved guests. Consequently, Agganis symbolizes dedication and Hellenic values.
Additionally, the gala is linked to Greek traditions. The Boston Marathon crowns winners with olive wreaths from Greece since 1984, a ritual backed by the Alpha Omega Council.
Scholarships at Alpha Omega Honors Gala 2025
The 33rd Peter Agris Memorial Scholarship ceremony opened the Alpha Omega Honors Gala 2025. Six young Greek Americans in journalism received awards. Founder Peter Agris published The Hellenic Chronicle for 50 years. Winners included Zachary Balcoff with 50+ journalism honors and Ava Tsapatsaris, an Emmy recipient. Thus, these scholars continue Agris’ U.S.-Greece media legacy.
Key Honorees of Alpha Omega Honors Gala 2025
Trustees' Award: Boston Athletic Association
Founded in 1887, the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) proudly organizes the world-famous Boston Marathon and champions healthy living and charitable causes. Inspired by the 1896 Olympic Games in Athens, the marathon has embraced its Greek heritage through a beloved tradition—since 1984, the Consul General of Greece, with help from the Alpha Omega Council and the 26.2 Foundation, has presented olive wreaths from Greece to crown the winners. These gold-dipped, hand-crafted wreaths stand for freedom, dignity, and peace, and their presentation marks the official start of Marathon weekend. In recognition of its lasting dedication to community, charity, and Hellenic ideals, the B.A.A. has been honored with the 2025 Trustees' Award.
Emerging Leader: Erica Kontos
Erica Kontos, Senior Director at the NBA, is a dynamic leader and strong advocate for women in sports. Recently featured on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Sports 2025 list, she’s recognized as one of the top rising stars shaping the future of athletics and business. She’s been key in growing the NBA’s and WNBA’s global reach, securing multi-year media rights deals and building partnerships with major companies like Disney, Amazon, and NBCU—bringing basketball to fans in over 200 countries and 50 languages. A proud Cornell grad with a 3.97 GPA and a 2024 Boston Marathon finisher, Erica’s drive, vision, and accomplishments make her a worthy recipient of the 2025 Emerging Leader Award.
Philhellene Award: Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox, founded in 1901, are one of Major League Baseball’s most iconic teams, known not just for their success on the field but also for their strong commitment to community and charity through the Red Sox Foundation. They share a special connection to Harry Agganis, the beloved “Golden Greek,” who chose baseball over a pro football career and became a Red Sox standout before his untimely death in 1955. That same year, team owner Tom Yawkey helped launch the Agganis Foundation to provide scholarships for outstanding students, a tradition still going strong nearly 70 years later. Since 2018, the Red Sox have teamed up with the Alpha Omega Council to host Greek Heritage Night at Fenway Park, celebrating Hellenic culture and honoring Agganis’ legacy. In recognition of their lasting partnership and community contributions, the team has been named the 2025 Philhellene Honoree.
Lifetime Achievement: Michael Agganis
Michael J. Agganis has built an impressive career in education, construction, and professional sports, always forging his own path apart from the legacy of his famous uncle, Harry Agganis. A self-made entrepreneur, Mike started a thriving construction company, worked with the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, D.C., and owned the Akron Aeros, the Cleveland Guardians’ AA affiliate. Under his leadership, the team became one of the most successful franchises in MLB’s minor league system. Through his generosity, Mike has created countless opportunities for student-athletes and local communities.
A respected civic leader, he has served on notable boards including Boston University, the University of Massachusetts, and the University of Akron Foundation Board. He has donated millions to charitable causes and established numerous scholarships in his uncle’s memory. Alongside his son Greg, he co-founded the Harry Agganis Charitable Foundation and helped place the bronze Harry Agganis statue at Boston University’s Agganis Arena. He also led efforts to have Harry inducted into the United States Marine Corps Sports Museum and played a key role in having the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association name the High School Football Championship trophy in all eight divisions the Agganis Trophy. For his remarkable leadership, generosity, and lasting impact, Michael J. Agganis is a worthy recipient of the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award.
Stars Attend Honors Gala 2025
Also present at the 2025 Honors Gala were some of New England’s most cherished athletes who celebrated the evening of Greek pride, sports legends, and community heroes. The distinguished guest list featured stars including: NHL legend Ray Bourque, NFL great Fred Smerlas, world marathoners Becca Pizzi and Dave McGillivray, former Patriot Niko Koutouvides, former Celtic and two-time NBA champion Justice Mal Graham, former MLB GM J.P. Ricciardi, Former Red Sox Catcher Rich Gedman, former Lynn Classical teammate of Agganis Fred Santangelo, retired three Star Lt. General Mark Brilakis, entrepreneur and world-renowned scientist Stuart Schreiber, and more.
Photo Gallery of the Honors Gala 2025
The 50th Anniversary of the Alpha Omega Council Annual Honors Gala will be scheduled in Fall 2026. For more information on the Annual Honors Gala or Alpha Omega Council, please visit: https://alphaomegacouncil.org/.
About the Alpha Omega Council:
The Alpha Omega Council is a non-profit philanthropic organization based in Boston, Massachusetts. Its mission is to promote patriotism to the United States and to cultivate the ideals of Hellenism by supporting various scholarly, athletic, medical, charitable, scientific, literary, religious, and educational activities throughout New England and across the country. The Council is comprised of Americans of Hellenic ancestry who are leaders in business, education, academia, medicine, law, politics, science, and other fields. Since its inception, the Alpha Omega Council has contributed millions of dollars to a wide range of philanthropic causes, in addition to presenting the annual Peter Agris Memorial Journalism Scholarship Awards. For more information, please visit https://alphaomegacouncil.org/.
All Photo Credits: Areti Bratsis Photography
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