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About The Latin American International Sports Hall of Fame

In the United States, there are Sports Halls of Fame that honor professional and amateur athletes in football, basketball, track, tennis, baseball and other sports. There are also ethnic halls of fame that recognize outstanding athletes from different groups including Italian, Jewish, Irish and blacks to name a few. But, there was not a single sports hall of fame that would recognize, honor and salute the outstanding accomplishments/achievements and contributions of our Latino/Hispanic Sports Heritage not only from the United States but also those who came to this country from Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Central and South America and from the vast talent from the Caribbean Islands. The Latin-American International Sports Hall of Fame/Salon de Ia Fama Latinoamericano del Deporte was organized in Laredo, Texas in 1974. At first it was to celebrate, honor and promote local and regional individuals who had excelled at their particular sport but soon it opened the doors to include National and International Professional Athletes. It also recognizes as Sportsman of the Year individuals who continue to preserve and enhance our Latino culture, values and educational opportunities for our youth and who contribute to the betterment of the City of Laredo and South Texas. There have been since its inception an equal recognition of women athletes inductees. It was important to find role models for our youth and the organizers wanted to include all ages, regardless of sex in their programs. The Latin Hall was also created to promote economic development and stimulate business activity in downtown Laredo when local businesses are contracted to provide services to our inductees, their families and guests who visit Laredo during the annual 3-day welcome reception, media luncheon and induction banquet celebration weekend. Through the years. (1975-2014), and with limited amount of funds the organization has, had the opportunity to help the youth of our community with scholarships and other youth activity fundraisers. Plans are to have a Latin Sports International Hall of Fame Museum (downtown) (soon) which will be a first for the United States and to provide clinics (free of charge) to instruct our youth in different sports.

Mission

The Latin American International Sports Hall of Fame was founded in 1975 to recognize individuals with good and proper standing in the community, high morals and values and who have excelled in sports and/or have contributed to the promotion of sports and goodwill in the Latino community.


Latin American International Sports Hall of Fame

47th Annual Induction Banquet

If there was ever an iron man in the annals of Laredo’s sports history, Tomas “Tom the Bomb” Treviño would certainly fit the bill.

The legendary Martin High School standout excelled in two sports, football and basketball, posting records that still stand today.  In football, Treviño played quarterback and split-end; however, in one game, back in 1975, the Bomb became a virtual one-man band, playing six different positions when the Tigers faced San Antonio’s Burbank High School. 

A giant on the gridiron, Treviño dominated the boards in basketball for Martin High School as well. The same year he overwhelmed Burbank High School in football, the Bomb decimated McAllen High School on the court, posting a record 56-points against the Valley school.  That feat remains unmatched. In just two years of playing basketball, Treviño racked up 1,310 points, posting figures that would make an NBA rookie blush.  McDonald’s sat up and took notice of the Laredo sensation, naming him one of United States’ top 100 basketball players. 

After college, the Bomb continued his prowess on the court, having played 12 seasons as a professional for the two Mexican basketball teams, Seleccion de Tamaulipas and Seleccion de Nuevo Leon. He led the Mexican professional league, CIMEBA, in scoring for three years in a row, 1979, 1980 and 1981. He averaged 27 points a game throughout his career and led three different teams to nine playoff appearances.

Treviño went on to have an impressive basketball coaching career, taking the helm of several different Mexican league teams.  Now, he works as an agent/talent scout, recruiting former NCAA and NBA players seeking opportunities to hit the court in Mexico.

Excerpt from 2013 Inductees Program