Of all the student-athletes to compete for WPI over the years,
chances are not one had the accomplishments John Maxouris had prior
to his arrival on Boynton Hill. The Athens, Greece, native lived up
to the lofty expectations and ended up producing a Hall of Fame
career in just two years at WPI.
Before enrolling at WPI, Maxouris was a member of the Greek
Olympic team in 1970 and was named an All-American in 1972 and 1973
at Orange County Community College in New York. He also
distinguished himself by playing for various clubs in Athens, New
York, Houston, and Atlanta.
Maxouris wasted no time making a name for himself in 1974.
During his first season with the Crimson and Gray, he set a new
school record with a jaw-dropping 24 goals and eight assists for a
staggering 56 points. The Engineers posted a record of 11-2-1 that
fall and advanced to postseason play.
During his senior season he dealt with defensive schemes keyed
on denying him the ball and still delivered impressive totals of
nine goals and four assists for a total of 22 points. Winning was
still in the cards for the Engineers as the team registered a 9-3-1
mark in 1975.
“John had the ability, more so than any player I've seen
before or since, to put his corner kicks in the net on the
fly,” says former WPI sports information director Steve
Raczynski. “If a keeper played it safe and took a central
position in the goal mouth, John could curve his shot into the near
corner or far corner, whichever one he thought he'd have a better
shot at. He had a magnificent touch.”
Maxouris’s achievements are all over the WPI history
books. He still holds the school single game record for goals in a
game when he netted five markers in a wild 8-6 victory over city
rival oly Cross. He tallied 33 goals and 12 assists for a total of
78 career points.
“It was very rare at WPI to have players with such high
talent,” says former WPI coach and Hall of Famer Alan King.
“It was amazing to have a player like John Maxouris
around—not only for his high skill but for his maturity. He
was able to score goals and improve his teammate’s play by
his example.”
Maxouris graduated with a degree in computer science in December
1975 as a member of the Class of ’76. He went on to receive a
master of science from Trinity College and University in 2002. He
has spent his professional career in the United States and Greece
working as a business engineer for large corporations such a
Citibank (Athens), United Jersey Banks (New Jersey), Verizon
(Athens), Orange & Rockland Utilities (New York), and
Greenbrier & Russel (Atlanta).
John currently lives in Athens with his wife, Maria, and his
daughter, Christina, but plans to return to the States within the
next two years.
