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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

 

 

 

Max Montoya
Football
 

Max Montoya

football

Max Montoya grew up with humble beginnings in La Puente, California. His loves were both little league baseball and football. Ultimately football won out and Montoya made his presence known while at Mount San Antonio College in Walnut, California. His dominance on the field earned him a scholarship to play at UCLA after his sophomore year at Mount SAC.

As a UCLA Bruin Montoya played for Head Coach Terry Donahue as a starting tackle and guard from 1976-78. While at UCLA, Montoya and his teammates formed one of the best offensive lines in their conference.

Montoya’s individual honors at UCLA include Pac-8 honorable mention at Left Guard (1977), 2nd Team All Coast (1978), George W. Dickerson Award (1978) and Montoya was a member of the Japan Bowl All Star Team (1979). Montoya also started in the Liberty Bowl (1976) and the Fiesta Bowl (1978).  

His performance as a Bruin also got Montoya noticed among several NFL teams. Montoya was drafted in the 1979 NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals, the 168thoverall pick in the 7th round.  His playing career would span 16 seasons, eleven with Cincinnati (1979-89) and his final five back in his hometown with the Los Angeles Raiders (1990-94).  During those 16 seasons Montoya would go on to be named to four Pro Bowls, play in two Super Bowls and for an offensive lineman, amassed an impressive 223 games played. Montoya was also named 1st Team All Conference by Pro Football Weekly and United Press International (1986) and the Lite Beer/NFL Lineman of the Year (1987). Additional awards include being named 1st Team All Conference by the UPI (1988 and 1989) and 2nd Team All NFL by the Associated Press (1989). Pro Football Reference would name Montoya to its 1st Team All 1980’s team.

Montoya’s cumulative career would pick up more honors after his football days came to an end. Inductions to Hall of Fames as a result of his illustrious career include: Community College Football Association Hall of Fame (1989), Mount San Antonio College Athletic Hall of Fame (1992), California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) Hall of Fame (2000) The National Hispanic Sports Hall of Fame (2012) and now the Latin American International Sports Hall of Fame (2019).

Montoya’s greatest accomplishments would be his family. Montoya and his wife Patti have twins, Alison and Matthew and are the proud grandparents of Addison, Abigail, Penelope and Emerson.