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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

Gogi Gutierrez

 






 

Olga "Gogi" Gutierrez
Inspiration

 

Olga "Gogi" Gutierrez

Inspiration
2017 Special Olympics Texas Coach of the Year

 

An athlete at heart for the love of Basketball is a proud alumna of the LISD, J.W. Nixon High School 1981' graduating class. As the senior captain and point guard of the J.W. Nixon Mustang Girls Basketball Team, Olga “Gogi” Gutierrez victoriously led the team to District Champs. That same year earned the Uvalde Tournament MVP. One could only imagine the nostalgia felt after 2016 J.W. Nixon Mustang Sports Hall of Honor.

A graduate from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology and minoring in Special Education is a dedicated Adaptive PE coach for the Laredo Independent School District holding the most certifications in Laredo to name one of many becoming the fi rst certified Motor Activity Training Program (MATP) coach. Thus, wholeheartedly spearheading the program back in 1999 for athletes unable to participate in official Special Olympics sport competitions due to either or both skill and functional abilities, by preparing athletes for sport-specific activities geared towards their ability levels.

Eager to get back on the court, Coach Gogi shared her expertise with a basketball team comprised of Laredo Independent School District (LISD) students from Martin, Nixon, and Cigarroa High Schools. In recognition of their success, The WEBB COUNTY Commissioners Court commended Coach Olga Gutierrez and the “Special Basketball Athletes,” for their outstanding achievement in placing first in the Championship Division of Region 1 Competition in South Texas 1999.

As a mentor and role model passionately and with much versatility Gogi serves Special Olympics Texas - Laredo Area as a Volunteer, Committee Member, Coach, Area Sports Management Team (ASMT) member, Head of Delegation (HOD), plus Competition Director and Trainer.

A beacon of light to many, continually empowering students to achieve their personal best within the least restrictive environment; proudly representing Special Olympics Texas-Laredo Area 21 is the two-time recipient of Outstanding Volunteer for Sports & Competition, three-time recipient of Special Person Award for Motor Activity Training Program (MATP), and six time recipient of Tom Landry Female Coach of the Year. Furthermore, among 4,500 certifi ed coaches across 22 regions, is the very first Area 21 recipient of the Special Olympics Texas Coach of the Year Award! It was a pivotal moment to be recognized for this award by the City of Laredo Mayor and Texas Education Agency (TEA).

“Extremely blessed for being awarded for what I love to do! I know that somewhere in Heaven, my parents Jose R. & Alicia Gutierrez, are smiling down on me with much joy for all my accomplishments. I will be forever grateful for the life I have because of their love for me.”  Olga Irma Gutierrez