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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

Noraida Negron

Noraida Negron
Noraida Negron
Softball Pitcher
Team Puerto Rico 1999
Pan Am Games -
Venezuela 2001
Noraida Negron
Softball

As a former softball player and a current coach and trainer, Noraida Negron strives for young generations to have the necessary tools to improve their game. 

Originally from Puerto Rico, she has been in Laredo since 2007.  Softball has always been a big part of her life. Her mother was a softball player. She competed at the 2000 Olympic games and was inducted into the Puerto Rico Hall of Fame. 

Following in her mother’s footsteps, Noraida was part of The Little League in Puerto Rico. She competed as a member of the Junior National Team and the Puerto Rico National Team. She received a softball scholarship making her the first Latino player at Missouri Valley College. She was the starting pitcher for the first softball team at Saint Francis School 1997 - 2000 in Carolina.

Under her mother’s coaching she became the lead pitcher for the team. She coached the team to three consecutive championships for the school. MLB RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner 1998 - 2001 Cities) Program Orlando, FL. At only 16 years of age, she was part of the Jr. Puerto Rico National Team/ National Team 1999 - Tournaments. Some were scrimmage games against the USA National Team. The USA National Team had players that are now legends in the sport, including Michelle Smith and Lisa Fernandez.

At age 18 she was a pitcher for the Junior National Team in the International Competition in the Bahamas. She was in national team that went to the Pan-American Games in Maracay, Venezuela. In one game against Cuba she pitched the last 3 innings.

She stopped playing for the national team to focus on college and to coach Missouri Valley College from 2000 - 2004 in Marshall, Missouri with records in strikeouts and shutouts and taking the team to a winning season.

At 23 years of age, she was part of the Missouri Rockers Organization, who is well known for their player’s excellence not only on the field but academically. As part of the organization she coached a 12-U team, which she stayed with until they graduated from high school. She was able to see her efforts as a coach sending several players of her team to college under scholarships.

She moved from Missouri to Laredo Texas 9 years ago. In Laredo, she became an independent Softball Pitching instructor. Many of the girls she mentored have grown to become not only excellent players, but great students by reaching college.