Slide Background
Slide Background
Slide Background
Slide Background
Slide Background
previous arrow
previous arrow
next arrow
next arrow

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

Eddie Cuellar


Basketball
Texas Prep "AAAA" All-State
North/South All-Star Game
Waco -1982
United High School
Laredo, Texas


Eddie Cuellar, one of the greatest basketball players to represent United High School's orange and white, captured the imagination of Laredo and South Texas cage fans with his team leadership and scoring ability. He grew up with a basketball in his hands as his father, Alfonso, was a star basketball player for the St. Joseph's High School Antlers, a Laredo catholic school that competed in the Texas Catholic Interscholastic League in the 1950's when basketball was king in the Gateway City. Eddie's basketball heroics at United during his junior year, earned him All-District, All-City, All-Regional First Team and All-State 3rd Team recognition. That year, the Longhorns captured the District Championship as he averaged 16.8 points per game. In 1981-82, as a senior, Eddie again led United to the District Championship. He was the District and Laredo's leading scorer with a 26.6 per game scoring average. Sportswriters and coaches again selected him as Most Valuable Player for the city, district and region. Texas sportswriters voted him to the Class "AAAA" All-State First Team. Only three Laredo high school basketball players have ever been selected for that honor: Phillip Trammel (1956) and Hector Noyola, Jr. (1998) of Martin High are the other two honorees. Eddie represented South Texas in the 1982 Texas High Schools North/South game in Waco. He scored 13 points.