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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mario Longoria
NFL Hispanic Historian

1981 to Present
Wrote two books
Consultant Pro-Football HOF Canton, Ohio

 


Mario Longoria received his Doctor of Philosophy in English from the University of Texas at San Antonio in August 2014. He recently retired from the USDA- U.S. Forest Service where he served as an Equal Employment/Civil Rights Officer on the Modoc National Forest in Northern California for five years (2007-2012). He is married to Noemi Reyes Longoria for 48 years, and proud parents and grandparents of four children and 7 grandchildren.

Prior employment includes the Salvation Army in 2006, a 24-year career as a Training Specialist with United Services Automobile Association (USAA), History Teacher at Harlandale High School; and is a United States Navy (1967-1970) 5-point veteran, with Vietnam Service in 1968.  

His educational career spans many years. After an honorable discharge from the military in 1970, he attended and graduated from Santa Monica City College – A.A. (1972), California State University, Northridge - B.A. (1974), University of Texas at San Antonio - M.A. (1980), and very recently, his Doctorate degree (Ph.D.) from the University of Texas at San Antonio (2014). The degree majors include Education, Chicano Studies, Bi-Cultural Studies, Southwest History, English, Mexican American Literature, and Literary Theory.

Family and education are the cornerstones of his life while his life-long vocation is the research and authorship of literary papers and histories of the Mexican, Mexican- American, and the Southwest. Dr. Longoria and Dr. Jorge Iber are currently co-authors of his second publication entitled Latinos in American Football history (2020). He has already authored (1) book titled Athletes Remembered: Mexicano/Latino Professional Football Players 1929-1970 (1997) and (30) plus journal, magazine, and newspaper articles.