Upper Iowa University Athletics

Kirk Vidas, class of 1980, was one of the most proficient Upper Iowa University long-range shooters to play in Dorman Gymnasium. A four-year basketball letterman (1976-1979), he blongs to the elite UIU 1,000 Point Club (14th out of 22 with 1,215 points) and the 500 Rebound club. At guard and forward, he won All-Conference honors three times and was named to the NCAA Division III District Five team two times.

Following his graduation from Upper iowa, Vidas was selected to play on the Greek Olympic team in Olympic trials in Vevey, Switzerland (1980) and in Paris, France (1984). He played professional basketball in Athens, Greece, for eight years for the Panathinakos Athletic Organization (’79-’86, when the team won the championship of Greece and the championship cup of Europe for four years), and he served as team captain and maintained first division for three years for the Illisiakos Athletic Organization (’86-’89).

During this time he coach the Near East Athletic Organization (third division team) in Athens to a first place finish, moving them up to second division. He also coached the fifth division Armeniakos Athletic Organization, Athens, to fourth place (highest ever for their club). He was selected to play on the Greek national team for European championships and in the Balken Games from 1979 to 1985.

The Gordon Tech High School Graduate, Chicago, Ill. Returned to his alma mater to coach in 1989 and is presently the owner and operator of a family restaurant in Chicago. He and his wife, Emily, have two sons, Nicholas and George.