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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

Frank Gonzalez

After 27 seasons, 256 wins, 5 consecutive championships and 18 titles garnered during his extraordinary 27-year tenure as head coach of the Borregos Salvajes, Frank Gonzalez, leaves behind an amazing legacy of success that will forever cement his name in football history.

From 1985 to 2013, Gonzalez was unstoppable, a legacy in his own right. A force to be reckoned with; he helped train a little over 1,000 athletes, and together, they beat out some of the best teams in Mexico’s history. Recruiting only the best of the best, Gonzalez served as Head Coach for Borregos Salvajes, an American football team from the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education, a privately managed higher education institution in Monterrey, Mexico. He ruled with an iron fist and a lot of heart and his players responded. Borregos Salvajes (Wild Rams), have long enjoyed a championship legacy. Crowned champions of the Greater League of National Student Organization of American Football (ONEFA) in four different occasions, 1971, 1972, 1974 and 1976; the team removed itself from the league only to return 12 years later with a vengeance. With Gonzalez at the helm, it was up to him to bring the Borregos back. Some of his most memorable contributions included an unstoppable winning streak in the 2001 season, when the Borregos Salvajes soared to the Championships with no losses. During the much-anticipated final game of the season, the team played against the Tigres of the UANL, who had for long been considered the best team in Mexico, at the Estadio Tecnológico de Monterrey. Borregos Salvajes came out victorious with a score of 20-12. The team reached the championships again in the 2002 season for a second consecutive year and faced a re-match against the Tigres of the UANL, in the final game. The first half of the game was tied 7-7; however, under Gonzalez’ leadership, the Borregos Salvajes made a comeback in the third and fourth quarters and brought the championship home.

Borregos Salvajes came out victorious yet again in 2004 (defeating Estado de México), in 2005 (defeating Tigres UANL); in 2006 (Defeating the Aztecas from the UDLAP); and again in 2007, 2008, and 2009. In the 2010 season, the Borregos Salvajes played in another conference, the CONADEIP premier league. They reached the finals, where they lost to their rivals, the Aztecas UDLAP 17 to 10. They made a comeback however in 2011 and in 2012 and quickly regained their championship status.

With an emphasis on family, teamwork and heart, Gonzalez guided his players with a “no man left behind” attitude. He now works as a consultant at the same institute and continues to be an inspiration and a legend in his own right.