Slide Background
Slide Background
Slide Background
Slide Background
Slide Background
previous arrow
previous arrow
next arrow
next arrow

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

Azucena Maldonado

Azucena Maldonado is on a mission to introduce Latinas of all ages to golf for their professional development, personal enjoyment and to promote a healthy lifestyle.

She is doing this through the Latina Golfers Association (LGA) which she founded in 2008.  Over 900 women have participated in the LGA golf clinics with many of them transforming into genuine golfers.  The LGA boasts a membership of over 1,200 Latinas.

Growing the game of golf in the Latino community is at the root of Maldonado’s hard work.  Her efforts have been recognized and validated by the nation’s premiere golf institution, the PGA (Professional Golfers Association) of America.  PGA featured Azucena in their magazine and invited her to speak as an expert at their annual expo/conference about growing the game of golf among women. The PGA has partnered with the Latina Golfers  Association on many events aimed at introducing Latino families to golf.  The Southern California Golfers Association has also featured the Latina Golfers Association in their publication and Maldonado sits on their Governmental Affairs committee.  She is also an active member of the LA County Golf Advisory Committee.

Maldonado has spoken on the subject of golf throughout the country at women’s conferences including the Hispana Leadership Summit in Miami, the Latinas in Power Symposium in Hartford, the Proud to be Latina Conference in New York City, the Latina Style Magazine’s Business Series in Los Angeles and at the Las Comadres Conference in Austin, Tx.  Most recently she was asked to join the advisory team of Lizette Salas,the only Mexican American LPGA professional golfer on the LPGA Tour today.

An important component of the Latina Golfers Association is its Golf Mentorship program.  According to Azucena, “Our members are paired with girls participating in inner city high school girl’s golf teams and act as their golf mentors.  We raise funds for the teams to purchase golf equipment, golf balls, shoes and clothes, field trips and play golf with them on a monthly basis. We seek to provide them the exposure to all things golf that they might not be able to receive at home.” The success of the Latina Golfers Association has been attributed, in part, to the inviting atmosphere at all LGA golf events thus eliminating the intimidating ambiance that sometimes surrounds the game of golf. It is also attributed to Maldonado’s approach to bringing the message of golf to the Latino Community at the level of the community.

Azucena Maldonado is making it possible for Latinas to have access to power and influence through golf.  Through the Latina Golfers Association, Azucena is helping Latinas break the glass ceiling by striking a golf ball through it.  It’s no secret that millions of dollars in business deals occur on the golf course every year and women are missing their fair share of the green ($$) because they are not on the green playing golf.  Azucena teaches women how to break gender and cultural barriers through golf.  From the East coast to Texas to Miami and southern California, Maldonado has shared her secrets of how to be welcomed into the “boys club” and how to flourish in their professional careers and personal lives through golf. Maldonado intends to establish a presence of the Latina Golfers Association in Texas within the next few years.

Excerpt from 2013 Inductees Program