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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

Jack Foster

 

 

 

 
Francis "Pancho" Cullen Averill, Jr.
Sportsman Of The Year
 

Jack Foster

Tennis

Born at the old Mercy Hospital in downtown Laredo with a birth injury on his right side, Foster had to compensate with his left arm and leg, nevertheless he never let it hold him back. Jack attended Laredo’s schools, graduating from Martin High in 1960 and Texas A&M University in 1972. He married the love his life, Millie in 1991 and commenced to build a career in professional tennis. He was a competitive tournament tennis player until being diagnosed in the mid 1990’s with a genetic disease known as Alpha -1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. Aiad causes emphysema (not from smoking). He now has less than 50% lung capacity than normal for his age. He is also a bladder cancer survivor. His last tournament was in the men’s 55’s, some 25 years ago.

In his long and impressive career, Jack has served as a head professional and director of tennis at two locations in the Houston area. He is presently Director of Tennis of Tennis for FCCA, a subdivision of Sugarland, Texas a tester for potential teaching pros and serves on committees for various organizations, as well as on their head advisory staffs. Foster still remains an active on-court teaching professional. In this capacity, he has dedicated many years to teaching stroke survivors, wheelchair players (USPTA Wheelchair certified), amputee players, autistic children and physically disabled children. 

He is a certified USPTA (United States Professional Tennis Association) Professional since 1991, designated a master tennis professional in 2016 (Less than 1% of USPTA professionals out of a total of 15,000 members have achieved that designation), certification tester since 2006, National Star Award Recipient 2005, Texas Division Tester of the Year 2010 and 2012, and George Basco National tester of the Year 2013.A member of PTR (Professional Tennis Registry) since 1996, achieving professional status in 3 pathways, adult, junior and high performance tennis. The organization committees are USTA Adaptive tennis, nominating committee and PTR Education Committees.

He has served on USPTA National Committees for Education, Conference Awards and Diversity Inclusion Committees, as well as their Texas Board of Directors from 2007-2008 and conference chariman for 6 years.

He has been published in professional magazines and newspapers, including the Tennis magazine, USPTA Texas Monthly Advantage Magazine, USPTA Texas Monthly, The Texas Magazine, The USPTA Southwest Division Magazine and many articles and tips on tennis in the Old Houston Post newspaper.