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| Mundo Latino presents “Latino Sports Heroes”, a photographic exhibit which
recognizes Athletes of Latino origin that through their performance in sport have made a
difference in the game. This exhibit is presented during the State Fair of Texas,
September 25 – October 18, 2009 in the Hall of State. Sports are equalizers of people. Athletes who perform at a high level have been able to overcome many conditions that would not have been possible if they did not achieve a great level of recognition in their sport. “Latino Sports Heroes” aims to list and showcase these athletes especially those who broke the barrier of participation and have paved the way for other Latinos. There is no sport untouched by Latino athletes and their contribution. Whether they were first in the sport, won an Olympic medal, played for their nation or earned money in USA sports --- these athletes represent their nations with pride and often give back to their home country to relieve poverty and make way for a better future. Many of these athletes are more greatly admired than their political leaders. No two athletes personify this experience beyond the field of competition than Brazilian soccer player PELÉ and Puerto Rican baseball star ROBERTO CLEMENTE.State Fair for 24 days! |
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Pelé, the most recognized player in the most popular game in the world, he once brought about a cease-fire in an African civil war simply because he was traveling there for a game. Born October 23, 1940 in Brazil, Pele is a National Treasure in Brazil, an American National Soccer Hall of Fame Member and the only soccer player ever to have 3 World Cup Medals. On November 19, 1969, Pelé scored his 1000th goal. After the 1972 season, Pelé retired from Brazilian club football although he continued to occasionally suit up for Santos in official competitive matches. Two years later, he came out of semi-retirement to sign with the New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League (NASL) for the 1975 season. |
| Though well past his prime at this point, Pelé is credited with significantly increasing
public awareness and interest in soccer in the United States. He led the Cosmos to the
1977 NASL championship, in his third and final season with the club. On October 1,
1977, Pelé closed out his legendary career in an exhibition match between the Cosmos
and Santos. Pelé scored his final goal on a direct free kick, driving the ball past the diving
Santos goalkeeper. At halftime, the Cosmos retired Pelé's number 10. Pelé was awarded Brazil's Gold Medal for outstanding services to the sport in 1995, Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso appointed him to the position of "Extraordinary Minister for Sport" and he was appointed a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador. During this time he proposed legislation to reduce corruption in Brazilian football, which became known as the Pelé law. In 1997 he was given an honorary British knighthood. |
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Roberto Clemente, whose all-around excellence on the diamond earned him the admiration of fans and a place in the Baseball Hall of Fame. He was especially adored by Latinos for his outspoken dignity and strength during his playing days, which ended when he died in a plane crash as he traveled to bring aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. Clemente’s elite place in baseball history remains secure,as is his status around the world as sport’s most respectedhumanitarian. He was awarded 1971 World Series MVPand is recognized as the 1st Latino inducted to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. At the ceremony in 1973, Commissioner Bowie Kuhn honored him by creating the "Roberto Clemente Award", the highest award in baseball for sportsmanship and community activism. |
Another example on Latino athletes impact on sport is the
skillful artistry of MANU GINOBILI, whose leading roles in
Argentina’s Olympics gold medal-winning squad and two
National Basketball Association (NBA) championship |
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| Latinos have also been at the forefront of the emergence of women and girls in sports.
Among the pioneers in this area are LISA FERNANDEZ, the American of Cuban and
Puerto Rican descent who dominated the world of softball in the 1990s, and Mexican-
American golfer NANCY LOPEZ, whose career spanned three decades and includes the
recognition as the only woman to win LPGA Rookie of the Year, Player of the Year, and the Vare Trophy in the same season. |
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Lisa Fernandez, softball pitcher has an Olympic Record in
softball for 25 strikeouts in a single game. She participated
in 1992, 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games winning Gold each
time.
During her time at UCLA she lead her team to 2 NCAA Women's College World Series Titles and was a four time NFCA First Team All-American. Nancy Lopez, a Mexican-American pro is considered one of the greats in the history of women's golf, and the best player from the late '70s to late '80s. She finished second at the U.S. Women's Open four times, the last coming in 1997 when she became the first golfer to score in the 60s for all four rounds. |
| Nancy Lopez’s
three major
championships all came at the LPGA Championship in 1978, 1985, and 1989. Lopez was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1987. Lopez is the only woman to win LPGA Rookie of the Year, Player of the Year, and the Vare Trophy in the same season (1978). Understanding the legacy of these athletes provides invaluable insight into the Latino- American experience. It also allows for an exhilarating glimpse into the future of Latino Americans in sports. By extension, if you want to know about the best athletes in the history of the world, you need to know about the enormous and increasing contributions of Latino-American athletes. |
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Strategic Events is proud to produce Mundo Latino, Celebration of Cultures, for the
community in partnership with The State Fair of Texas. Strategic Events is a woman and
minority-owned business.
Join in the Celebration of Cultures by being a partner of this annual exhibit.