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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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David Sanchez

Winningest Hispanic Head High School Football Coach in Texas

 
United head coach David Sanchez doesn’t take all the credit for how his historic career has gone. He knows he has had a lot of help along the way. “I’ve been around many great coaches”, says Sanchez. Sanchez became the winningest Hispanic coach in Texas history in 2020 as he secured his 208th career victory when the Longhorns defeated United South. “It’s a great accomplishment, but it’s nothing I did by myself,” Sanchez said. “It takes a whole bunch of people to have the opportunity to accomplish that. Sanchez credits a lot of his success to his mentors, Bob Loomis and Pete Vela.
 
Loomis was the first head coach to hire Sanchez in 1981. Sanchez then moved to Freer again under Coach Loomis. Soon Sanchez was hired as Nixon’s head coach. He transformed the program at Nixon High School from only 10 wins in 5 years to 7-3 in his second year. 
 
With the historic milestones come a lot of memorable moments. Sanchez likes to look back on Nixon’s celebrated 1997 season in which the Mustangs experienced an undefeated regular season and won the first Bi-District Championship in Laredo Independent School District history.  That season was just a precursor to the success that was set to come throughout his two-decade-plus-long career.
 
On the surface, winning seems to be the most important duty for a coach. However, that’s not the main thing for Sanchez. While he has enjoyed all 208 victories, (216 as of 2021) his main priority is to make an impact on his players’ lives. He tries to mold them into men so that they are prepared for the challenges that come later in life. He finds that task more enjoyable than any of his wins.

“It’s great, but this game isn’t about me,” Sanchez said. “It’s about the kids. My goal is to impact their lives and teach them to be great young men.” Sanchez has achieved a lot in his career. However, he isn’t settled yet. He still has goals he wants to accomplish before he decides to retire. Sanchez’s ultimate goal to help United be the first Laredo team to make it to the fourth round of the playoffs. “The goal since I’ve been at United is to be that first Laredo team to advance past the third round of the playoffs — to beat those San Antonio powerhouses,” Sanchez said. “That has kept my drive going.”