Christos Tsiotos, BS '77, JD '83 -- Christos Tsiotos, who had an illustrious basketball career at both Winthrop High School and Suffolk University and was a standout in many national Greek-American basketball tournaments, is the 2010 recipient of the fifth annual George K. Mazareas Recognition Award.

Tsiotos was presented the award at the 55th annual Harry Agganis National Invitational Basketball Tournament sponsored by St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Lynn April 22-25. Mazareas, who is battling ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease), was on hand to present the award. He was joined by members of the Angel Fund, an organization Mazareas and his wife, Cynthia, have worked with to raise money for ALS. Mazareas' daughter, Eleni, was also on hand.

Past recipients of the award, which is given to a person who displays tremendous passion, courage and competitive spirit while conducting himself with fair play and sportsmanship on and off the court, include Jimmy Pierrakos (2006); Walter J. Makiej Jr. (2007); Christos Zikos (2008) and John Galaris (2009). They were all there to help present the 2010 award.

Tsiotos was a three-year starter at Winthrop, leading his team to two conference championships and the Tech Tournament Division II Final in his senior year. He was the first Winthrop player (boys or girls) to score more than 1,000 points and he still holds the single-game scoring record of 53 points. He's in the Winthrop High Hall of Fame.

His college basketball career was also impressive. He started for four years at Suffolk alongside his older brother, Nick, and Winthrop High teammate George Kalogeris. The three led the team to three consecutive NCAA tournament appearances (1975-77).

At Suffolk, Tsiotos was a two-time Division III All-New England and All-East selection. He's also the only player in Suffolk history to score 1,000 points.

Tsiotis still lives in Winthrop with his wife, Angela (Callas), and twin daughters Polixeni and Niki. He serves on various town boards and is a member of the Viking Pride Foundation that helps raise money to fund school athletics. He also coaches some of his daughters' basketball and soccer teams.
The Daily Item, May 17, 2010