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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

Jessica Ortiz Rivera: For any young athlete, just making it to the state tournament in their chosen sport is an accomplishment enough.

Winning the state championship certainly makes for an incredible feat.  But, taking home the state’s highest honor five times is nothing short of spectacular.

Young St. Augustine High School sprinter Jessica Ortiz stands on a plateau occupied by a select few.  The five-time state Track and Field champion brought honors home to both her Alma Mater and the City of Laredo , winning three 1600-meter run crowns, one 800-meter title and one 4z400 medley championship.  Call her Laredo’s Track and Field answer to Michael Phelps.  Like the swimming legend, Jessica set records of her own in the 800-meter race, seven to be exact.

In addition to setting records, including jumping 16 feet during her high school career, the young Lady Knight also finished eighth in the National championship.   In the year 2000, the Laredo Morning Times paid homage to the legendary sprinter by naming her one of the Gateway City’s top 100 Athletes of the Century.

The University of Texas at Austin took notice of the sprint star, signing Jessica to be a member of the Lady Longhorn Track and Field Team, defending national champions at the time. She competed in both cross-country and track.

After earning her Bachelor of Science Degree in Applied Learning and Development in December 2002, Jessica returned to Laredo and to her beloved St. Augustine High School where she took on the job of coach for the girls’ track team.  History almost repeated itself when she led her team to within one-tenth of a second from a state title. The discipline she learned on the field translated well into her chosen career, as Jessica, now married to Felipe Rivera and the proud mother of two sons, Phil and Jake, went on to earn her two Masters Degrees, one in Science in Curriculum from Texas A & M International University, and the other in Administration from Lamar University.  She is now assistant principle at United Day School. But, it all started with the race, a race that she still runs, only the track is different.

Excerpt from 2013 Inductees Program