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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

Eduardo mendiola

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eduardo "Eddie" Mendiola
UISD Adaptive PE Coach

2018 Texas Special Olympics Coach of the Year
Texas Olympics Tom Landry Coach of the Year

 


As a leader, Edurdo Mendiola’s main goal is to focus on lifelong movement, problem solving, teamwork, and continuous improvement. He believes in promoting acceptance of diversity,  and  maximizing student potential by striving to motivate and inspire all students that cross his path. He believes this can be achieved by  providing multiple opportunities for life-long sport, recreation activities, that in turn will lead to a richer mind, body and soul enabling them to live a healthier and happier life.  Edurdo Mendiola was born and raised in Laredo,Texas and a graduate from J.W. Nixon High School in 1995. He later earned an Associates degree of Liberal Arts from Laredo College in 1997. 

He went on to earn a Bachelors in Early Childhood with a minor in Bilingual Education From TAMIU in 1999 and a Masters degree in Educational Leadership in 2005 with state certifications in Early Childhood, All Level Bilingual and ESL, Secondary Health, All Level Kinesiology, and Special Education.  He began his teaching career with the United Independent School District in December of 2000 at Arndt Elementary School,where he taught first and fifth grade. In August of 2004, he was hired as an adapted physical education coach until this present day. He has devoted the majority of his career working with special needs children and with Special Olympics where he holds sport certifications in athletics, basketball, bocce, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, soccer and Unified Sports. He also serves as a supervisor for UISD’s After School Adventures program, a Homebound teacher and as an instructor at Laredo college, serving students, their families and the community.  Mr. Mendiola is happily married with three beautiful children.

He attributes his success to his unique skills in communication, collaboration, and training from an acting perspective in sports. He has been a three time Texas Sp. Olympics Coach of the Year Nominee and the recipient in 2018. He also has been a four time Sp. Olympics Area 21 Tom Landry Male coach of the year, three time Trainer of the Year and two time Outstanding Volunteer for Sports and Competition.  Over the years, he has led many Special Olympics athletes and Unified teams to earn Gold, Silver and Bronze medals in local meets and to a state competition for bowling and track & field. He was also an assistant coach at United ISD, Lyndon B. Johnson High School for the girls basketball program from 2004-2008 helping the teams make playoffs in each of these years. He started the first Special Olympics Young Athletes Day for United ISD with 6 schools represented. Now he helps plan and coordinate the yearly events with all district elementary schools. 

Helping to pilot the first Special Olympics Meet In The Middle program in the city, this program embraces diversity and brings youth with and without intellectual disabilities together through education and sports. Another very special honor of his was receiving a Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools Grant to help utilize funds to increase campus wide inclusion mission through school activities and sports teams. Furthermore, he has implemented and piloted the city’s first Special Olympics programs such as “Texercise” with the partnership with the Health and Human Services Commission state agency and the “Healthy Leap”  program.  He is a CPR and First Aid Instructor and has served as a volunteer for the American Red Cross disaster relief team.  All in all, Eduardo Mendiola is known to be a highly driven individual who seeks the growth and success of every program and every student he works with.