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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

Jorge B. Haynes, Jr. 

Sportsman of the Year 2001
Baseball

Jorge B. Haynes, a long-time Laredo sports enthusiasts, is the Latin-American International Sports Hall of Fame (Salon de la Fama Latinoamericano del Deporte) "Sportsman of the Year" for 2001. Haynes was cited by the Latin Sports Hall for his participation as a financial contributor, volunteer, sports participant and strong supporter of our community's youth sports related activities. Jorge joins his father, Jorge, Sr. with the same honor bestowed by the organization. Jorge Sr. was recognized as Sportsman of the Year in 1996 for his life's dedication to baseball. Jorge Haynes Sr.'s family is one of Laredo's and South Texas· premier sports families. Jorge Jr. is the eldest of five children and set a standard in sports, which by his own description was eclipsed by each brother. As an aspiring little leaguer, he proudly wore the Rotary organization's uniform in the American League in 1956-57. Later, Haynes participated in football, basketball and track at Lamar Junior High and at Martin High. In 1964, J.W. Nixon High became the city's new high school and Jorge was selected as captain of the Mustang's football, track and baseball teams. He played a crucial role in selecting the school colors, name, fight song, mascot and renaming of the yearbook. His senior class honored him by selecting him Most Athletic. After high school, Haynes enlisted in the United States Air Force where he continued to play sports and after his discharge from the service, he participated in football, playing for the Pencos team in the Laredo Football League from 1976 to 1983. Haynes is the founder of the first Hispanic Ski Association, known as the Flying Burritos International, which has won numerous first place honors at the National Hispanic Scholarship Fund Ski Fiesta from 1988 to 2000. The Flying Burritos has evolved into the National Hispanic Ski and Snow boarding Association based in Frisco, Colorado. Jorge credits his father and mother, as well as his brothers and sister for helping him achieve success off and on the field.