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

JJ Gomez

Coach J.J. Gomez
Baseball United High
Texas UIL 5-A State Finals
Round Rock  2008
J.J. Gomez
Baseball

Coach JJ Gomez has made baseball his life.

He played in leagues as a boy and continued his playing career at Martin High School as a member of the team that made history winning four consecutive district titles. He continued to play baseball on a college scholarship graduating from Texas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education. 

As Head Coach at United High School, he averaged 25 wins per year and led United to the playoffs in all of his ten seasons. He is finishing his high school coaching career with a 251-88-5 record. In 2008, Coach Gomez led the Longhorns to the first ever, state appearance in school history. He was named The Laredo Morning Times Coach of the Year and was asked to speak in various conferences. In 2011 his team advanced that season to the playoffs to face Sharyland, a state ranked team, in the first round of playoffs. Nolan Ryan personally wrote a letter to Coach Gomez for their accomplishments. United won the district title 5 out of the 10 seasons while Gomez was the Head Coach. 

Coach Gomez was named coach of the year 5 times by the District and was just named this year’s Laredo Morning Times Co-Coach of the year. He finishes his last season by reaching the regional finals “Elite Eight.” After losing in the 5th round they were one step away from making it back to state. Gomez cares for his community. He was averaging 5 players a year moving on to college baseball. For the past 6 years, he has delivered Christmas presents, shared meals and made an impact on the children through baseball at the Sacred Heart Children’s Home. With the help of local officials and CBP, Gomez was able to get the parents of two of his athletes a 24-hour pass to come watch their sons graduate. 

Coach JJ Gomez worked under Augie Garrido at The University of Texas and was lead instructor for their summer camps. He was also a head instructor of the Round Rock Express summer camps, and six years with the AAA team of the Texas Rangers.  Coach Gomez is the owner/instructor of The Winning Edge Baseball Academy where he teaches players to play baseball. Gomez is also the City of Laredo Assistant Parks and Recreation Director. He strives to continue to impact the youth of today through sports.  His philosophy is “I don’t coach baseball, I coach people.”