Documentary on famed Harry Agganis opens Tuesday

BOSTON – Lynn’s Old Neighborhood Foods has been named the exclusive presenting sponsor for the world premiere screening of Agganis: Golden Greek, Excellence To The End, a documentary film celebrating the life and legacy of one of New England’s all-time sports heroes, Harry Agganis.This premiere will be Tuesday at the AMC Loews Boston Common 19 Theater, 175 Tremont St., Boston. More than 300 tickets have already been sold for the event. Due to this high demand, a second auditorium has been added. The red carpet ceremonies will begin at 5:15 p.m., and the film screening will start promptly at 6 p.m. Immediately following the movie, all attendees will be invited to a private catered reception at the Gypsy Bar, 116 Boylston St.Since the Agganis Arena at Boston University opened in 2005 the family name has resurfaced in the public consciousness. Now, nearly 60 years after his death, the family is ready to share Harry Agganis’ story on the big screen in hopes of continuing his great legacy. Guests attending the premiere will get a glimpse into the life of the famed Golden Greek, told by those who knew him best. The film chronicles the arc of Harry’s sports career, first as the finest high school athlete to ever come out of New England, then as the quarterback of the Boston University football team, and ultimately as a star baseball player for his hometown Boston Red Sox. His unexpected death in the summer of 1955 shocked many. The fallen hero was deeply mourned, especially within the Greek community.Written and narrated by acclaimed Boston sports journalist, Clark Booth, the film features dozens of never-before-seen interviews that bring to life the story of a driven young man from a struggling immigrant family who managed to become extraordinary. “I see it as the perfect opportunity to remind New England that Harry Agganis exemplified what outstanding character means, and to allow him to shine as a true role model for kids today,” said Greg Agganis.As a tribute to the countless contributions Harry Agganis made to the community, all net proceeds from the premiere event will benefit Stand Strong, The Sports Museum’s hallmark educational program.”We appreciate the commitment Old Neighborhood Foods has shown to the film and especially to The Sports Museum’s Stand Strong character education program, which teaches at-risk kids in our community the virtues of determination, teamwork, responsibility, fairness and courage,” said Rusty Sullivan, executive director of The Sports Museum. “These are the same values Harry Agganis personified throughout his lifetime.” Old Neighborhood Foods will also become the new presenting sponsor of the Harry Agganis exhibit at The Sports Museum, located inside TD Garden in Boston.A leader in Boston’s North Shore business community for three generations, Old Neighborhood Foods is headquartered on Waterhill Street in Lynn, the very same street where Harry Agganis grew up.”We are a family company with deep roots in this neighborhood,” said Old Neighborhood CEO, Tom Demakes. “Our commitment to quality includes a commitment to our community. There is no one who embodied the humble, hard-working values of Lynn’s Greek community more than Harry Agganis.”Greg Agganis, the film’s executive producer and Harry’s grand-nephew, added, “We are thrilled to have Old Neighborhood Foods join us as the presenting sponsor for the premiere of Agganis: Golden Greek, Excellence To The End. This is a night that we have all been dreaming of for many years. The generosity of the Demakes family and their continued support of Harry Agganis is making it possible for us to rekindle his remarkable story for a new generation of New England sports fans.”For further details and to purchase tickets for the premiere event, visit www.agganismovie.org.