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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

Jesus Rangel


Sportsman of the Year 2002
Mr. Little League Baseball
1950's

Jesus "Chuy" Rangel, a long-time Laredo sports enthusiast, is the Latin-American
International Sports Hall of Fame (Salon de Ia Fama Latinoamericano del Deporte)
"Sportsman of the Year" for 2002.
The name Jesus Rangel is synonymous with baseball in Laredo and South Texas,
specifically Little League Baseball.
Rangel has been involved in Little League as a volunteer since 1959. He has been a
manager, coach, financial contributor, groundskeeper, fundraising leader and League
President. You name it and he has done it all for the youth of Laredo.
He started as a manager in the National Little League. He was looking for a team for his
son, Jesus Jr., to play on. Most of the teams had their rosters completed. He looked around
and found out the Day Lions Club needed a manager, he voltmteered and his son had a
team to play with.
In 1968, Rangel was a driving force to get a new league chartered in Del Mar. It was Jesus who wrote Williamsport,
Pennsylvania to apply for the Del Mar Chapter. He has seen the league grow to be one of Texas premier organizations
beginning with four teams to over 40 in different age groups. Over a thousand boys and girls team participate in the yearround
programs.
Rangel's dedication to Del Mar Little League hasn't gone unnoticed. The field where teams play their games bears his
name - Rangel Field.
In an interview with the Laredo Morning Times newspaper over 40 years ago, Rangel said that it was his dream "that one
day, he would see a Laredo Little League product make the baseball major leagues".
That dream became a reality, when Freddie Benavides, who started his baseball playing in Laredo's American Little
League became a part-time player with the pennant contender Cincinnati Reds of the National League under manager Lou
Piniella in the early 1990's.