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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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tomas Benavides
Sportsman of the Year

Successful Businessman
Dedicated Advocate for Education
President of United Day School Board

 


Born and raised in Bruni, Texas where he currently resides. He graduated from Bruni High School and then attended the University of Texas and graduated in 2006 with degrees in Classical Archeology and Cultural Anthropology and is a fraternal member of Phi Delta Theta.

A successful businessman, Tom is the Manager of Los Angeles Cattle Company and co-trustee of his family’s mineral trust. He is a partner and co-founder of the Arena Gun Club and the Arena Archery. He is also a partner of Magnum Mining, Odin Outfitting and L.A. Game Trading.

A dedicated advocate for education, Tom is a member of the United Day School Board where he serves as President of the Board. He is a former board member of Webb Consolidated Independent School District. He also serves as a member of the City of Laredo’s Airport Advisory Board. A lifetime martial artist, Tom enjoys practicing Judo, Tae Kwon Do, Brazilian Ju Jitsu and skydiving on his spare time. He is a former trainer of IBC’s world heavyweight boxing champion, Hector “the Hurricane” Ferreyro. He and his wife, Leslie are proud parents to two beautiful children, Augustus, 7 and Athena 5, who both attend United Day School.