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

Santiago Sanchez

Santiago “Chagito” Sanchez
Sports Visionary
Guajolote International 10-K Run
Founder 1979
Santiago “Chagito” Sanchez
International runner

“Chagito”, as he was affectionately called, was born and raised in Laredo, Texas to Santiago, a Presbyterian minister and Juanita Sanchez.

He had a lifelong love for athletics in which he excelled as a student at Old Laredo High School and later as coach, promoter and sportsman.  He played football, basketball and baseball at Laredo High and in San Antonio and Monterrey, Mexico.

Santiago coached the all-star basketball and volleyball teams in Laredo.  He started as a coach for the Gazela Team at the Casa de Juventud in Nuevo Laredo. He brought a professional women’s basketball team called the Red Heads to the Boys Club as part of an exhibition game. He sponsored track meets in Nuevo Laredo as well as a bicycle race from Nuevo Laredo to Columbia Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Santiago Sr. was an early jewelry store owner in downtown Laredo. Today, third generation of Sanchez men run the family business. Always involved, he was a member of the Laredo Chamber of commerce, Lions Club, Mexican American Chamber of Commerce and several other local clubs and organizations.

He opened a second business Hamilton Trophies giving him a direct contact with sports in Laredo and Nuevo Laredo.  For his sports involvement on both sides of the border, Nuevo Laredo community named a street in his honor. The first Guajolote 10K run was first organized by Sanchez, his daughter Gloria Sanchez and several coaches in 1979.  To follow her father’s legacy and tradition, Gloria continued hosting the Run along with Sanchez’s granddaughter Marie. The run has become known not just in Laredo or Texas but in California and Florida, Mexico.

The Guajolote 10K Run has given a start to many Laredo and Mexican runners such as Andres Espinoza, a New York Marathon overall winner from Monclova, Coahuila, Arturo Barrios who would become the world’s fastest in the 20,000 meter run. Many runners both young and old who have a love of running take part in the Guajolote Run participate in the run year after year. 

The love of Santiago’s life was the person who helped him to achieve his dreams, his wife of 50 years, Manuela.  Together they raised 7 children.