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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fred Gracia

Rio Grande Valley High School Football Referee

 


A 1982 graduate from Mercedes High School, Fred Gracia grew up in the housing projects with Tiger Stadium as his backyard. Losing his father at the age of 8, he distracted himself from the grief by watching football practice and volunteering to do whatever he could to help the team. He would attend junior high and sub-varsity games and eventually he began helping officials on the sidelines. This passion for sports led him to play football through his junior year and letter in baseball for 2 years. 

In 1990, Fred joined the Texas Association of Sports Officials. 30 years later, he has officiated numerous sub-varsity games and close to 500 varsity games. He has also gone on to officiate 40 playoff games and a TAAP Division I state championship game in 2017. 

Fred enjoys being part of one of America’s favorite pastimes. Being a referee has become part of who he is. He loves the intensity of the athletes, the respect for the game as well as the rules of the game. Unfortunately, an incident on December of 2020 involving an assault on him by an athlete left him questioning whether he would return to the field he loves so much. In the end, he believes that good can come from a bad experience. 

Fred’s tragic event led to an important change by the Texas Legislature in extracurricular activities leading to stiffer consequences for an assault by an athlete and better protection for referees. Fred attributes his strong faith in God to be able to forgive and move forward.