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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

Juan Medina

 
Juan Medina
Horserace Trainer
Ruidoso Downs
 
Juan Medina
HORSERACE TRAINER/RUIDOSO DOWNS


Juan Medina was born in Laredo, Texas on December 7, 1951. He has resided in Zapata, TX, a small town located about 50 miles south of Laredo.

 

During his high school years, Juan was the starting quarterback for the Zapata High School Hawks. He began working in the oilfield and learning the trade after attending 2 years of college at Laredo Community College. Juan met his wife Dolores in 1970. They married in 1975 and had four daughters. His daughters graduated from college, married and made Medina a proud grandfather of 10 grandchildren. Juan was introduced to the sport of horse racing by his father in law, Delfino Lozano Jr, in the late 70’s and developed a passion for the sport.

He purchased his first horse and raced in small time races throughout the state of Texas. In 1984 he co-founded Med-Loz Lease Service in Zapata with his brother-in-law, Delfino Lozano III. They worked from the ground up developing the company into one of the Top 500 Hispanic Owned Businesses in the country.

Juan purchased his first ranch in the late 1990’s and is now the proud owner of over 12,000 acres in Zapata and Atascosa County with a Charolais cow calf cattle operation of over 500 head of cattle as well as scientific breeding operations with very high quality white tail deer. Horse racing came back into the picture in 2000 when Juan began buying horses at auctions in Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. He won numerous races throughout the state of Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Louisiana.

In 2005 he purchased Baja Jazz and gaining a couple of wins racing at Ruidoso Downs and a win at Manor Downs. Teller Baja a filly out of Teller Cartel and Baja Jazz had winnings of over $500,000 in Grade 1 events. His greatest achievement came when Eagle Jazz (the gelded son of One Dashing Eagle and Baja Jazz) raced his way in the elusive Quarter Horse Triple Crown at Ruidoso Downs in Ruidoso, New Mexico which has only been won once in the history of the three G1 races, by Special Effort in 1981. Eagle Jazz won the first two legs by first winning the $1 million Ruidoso Futurity (G1) in June then winning the $1 million Rainbow Futurity (G1).

Eagle Jazz won his heat by 6 lengths but just missed the qualifying time for the $3 million All American Futurity (G1) by five one-hundredths of a second. Medina plans on continuing his successful racing career. He already has his eye on next year’s Triple Crown with many years to come with offspring out of his prized Baja Jazz.