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

Steven Lopez


Taekwondo Featherweight
Pan American Games
Gold Medal 1999
World Olympics
Gold Medal
Sydney, Australia 2000


The journey to the Olympic is an arduous and often difficult one to take. Yiany hopefuls falter along the way, but some are driven to become champions. In the case of Steven Lopez, he always wanted to be an Olympic champion and was fortunate enough to have a family to support and helped him realize his dream. At age 22, Lopez is the world's best Taekwondo featherweight competitor. By caphuing the Gold Medal in Sydney, Lopez not only fulfilled his dream, he also made history by winning the very first Olympic Gold Medal for the U.S. in Taekwondo. This was tremendous accomplishment for the young Latino from Sugar land, Texas, who was an academic scholar and member of the National Honor Society at Kampner high school. On the road to Sydney, Steven Lopez competed extremely well in the numerous qualifying tournaments and garnered several medals at the 1994 World Cup Taekwondo (Bronze), 1996 Pan American Games (Gold), just to name a few. In August 1999, Winnipeg, Canada, Lopez received the Silver Medal to qualify the U.S. in the Olympic Taekwondo Featherweight Division. Additionally, Steven Lopez is a five-time U.S. National Taekwondo Team member. In an interview several months before the Olympics, Lopez comments about his experience, "This entire journey has taught me that I can do anything I put my mind to. I'm not the kind who will start something and not finish it. It doesn't matter how long it takes, because if I put my heart into it, I will get it done. That's something that I will one day take into the business world". Steven's parents, Julio and Ondina, Nicaraguan immigrants, are now considered America's First Family of Taekwondo as their children are all world class Taekwondo champions. Diana 16, won the junior World Championship in 1998 while Mark, 18, finished third. Older brother Jean, 26, took a Silver Medal in 1995. This commitment and determination is what makes Lopez an Olympic Champion. He was favored by the experts to take the gold and he did so in convincing fashion. He had a dream and achieved it, but more importantly, it is the love and support from his family which mattered to him the most.