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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

Don Ruperto Villarreal Montemayor


Locutor de Beisbol- Radiodifusoras XEDF/XEK
Equipos La Junta y Tecolotes - Liga Mexicana
Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas
1940's/1950's


Don Ruperta Villarreal Montemayor, es un destacado ciudadano de Nuevo Laredo. Su pasion por la industria de la radiodifusion, lo llevo desde muy joven, a los 16 aftos, a formar parte del cuerpo de locutores de la estacion XEFE, cuyo concesionario era Don Rafael Tijerina Carranza. Eso sucedio hace 64 aflos. Deseoso de mejorar, logro a los 18 aftos la concesion de la radiodifusora XEDF. Posteriormente intercambio las siglas con una estacion del Distrito Federal, naciendo asi la XEK, unica radiodifusora de tres letras en Nuevo Laredo. Don Ruperta fue uno de los mejores locutores deportivos del beisbol mexicano, reseflando los juegos del equipo La Junta primero, y despues los de Los Tecolotes de Nuevo Laredo. En 1951, fue nom bra do gerente del periodico El Diario y aftos despues adquirio el resto de las acciones para ser unico propietario. Sus campaflas en favor de los marginados, su apoyo a todas las clases sociales de la poblacion, le hicieron ganar el respeto y el cariflo de la ciudadania. Don Ruperta participo en politica y gano una eleccion primaria para alcalde, siendo electo en los comicios constitucionales Presidente Municipal para el periodo 1966-69, resultando el mejor de los alcaldes de Tamaulipas, segun decir del Gobernador Lie. Praxedis Balboa. Casado con Dona Aurora Marroquin de Villarreal, tiene 7 hijos. Actualmente se encuentra retirado de los negocios, los cuales son manejados por sus hijos.