Established in 2006 as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization
Our Purpose
The Hispanic Sports Foundation for Education invests in our youth through education and motivates aspiring students by acknowledging successful leaders who reflect the highest values of our heritage.
• We Promote Our Future: We provide scholarship assistance to advance lifelong learning, leadership and service to community.
• We Proclaim Our Leaders: We identify outstanding Hispanic men and women who demonstrate achievement in education, athletics, business, arts & entertainment, military, and public service; we also identify non-Hispanics who have contributed significantly to the development of Hispanic youths. We honor these individuals in the National Hispanic Heritage Hall of Honor. Visit the HALL OF HONOR page. Click twice for an overview and an update of how several former inductees helped us to continue investing in youth during the Covid restrictions. Click once to read the stories of some of the previous inductees.
• We Project Our Heritage: Our National Hispanic Heritage Hall of Honor establishes a legacy of portraits and stories of remarkable lives. We organize face-to-face encounters between community leaders and students to impart the values of self-esteem, personal responsibility and higher education.
Our Mission
We come from a heritage of God, family, and country that calls us to motivate and empower the next generation.
Just as our forebears worked hard to build a better community for the future, we commit our leadership, resources, and efforts to finance scholarships, establish effective relationships with institutions of higher learning, and mentor youth.
The National Hispanic Heritage Hall of Honor recognizes those who have used educational opportunities and natural talent to achieve new horizons. We bring their stories to the classroom to inspire students.
We harness the power of sport – the discipline of conditioning, the synergy of teamwork, and the challenge of competition – to develop personal skills, self esteem, and integrity.
We are Hispanic-Americans, and believe that every child is worthy of encouragement, guidance, and support in his or her quest to lead and serve.
HSFE Membership
Leaders Dedicated to Supporting Young Scholars
HSFE welcomes inquiries by any individual interested in joining our organization. Our membership is committed to fostering a strong and capable influence in the community dedicated to the encouragement and support of aspiring youth. Our members pay annual dues, volunteer to serve at our fundraising events, attend membership meetings as may be called by the Board of Directors (including the annual membership meeting in January) and participate in HSFE functions. To become part of the Hispanic Sports Foundation for Education, you must be nominated by a current member in good standing and approved by the Board of Directors. If you complete a membership inquiry, it will be handed to a current member for follow-up. You will be contacted by that member and considered for nomination. For a complete description of membership and other policies, consult the HSFE By-Laws.
Current Members
Gilbert G. Arias – Board Executive Secretary
Alan E. Baxter, J.D.—Board Member at Large
Joe Cortez – Board Member at Large and President; co-founder
Danny Cortez — Board Member at Large
Pauli Garcia — Board Member at Large
Ruben Martinez, CPA—Board Treasurer
Cristina Olivo
Juan Xavier Olivo – Sergeant at Arms
Roy Orozco – Board Member at Large; co-founder
Kenneth Saks, J.D. – Board Member at Large and Vice President
Richard V. Silva – Board Member at Large
Wayne F. Yakes, M.D. – Chairman of the Board
Advisory Board
Victor Rodriguez, PhD; co-founder; Hall of Honor
Barney Smith; owner of SmithPrint
Maj. Gen. Alfred Valenzuela (Ret); Hall of Honor
Leonard B. Rodriguez
Associate Members
Maria Antonietta Berriozabal, Hall of Honor
William “Bill” Hickey
In Memorium
Mary Rose Cardenas; Hall of Honor
Willie Crafts; Hall of Honor, charter member
Paul Elizondo; Hall of Honor
BG Belisario Flores; Hall of Honor
Rode Gonzalez; Hall of Honor, charter member
Barbie Hernandez
Jose Mendoza Lopez; Hall of Honor
Roland Lopez; Hall of Honor, charter member
Gabriel Rivera; Hall of Honor
Rita Vidaurri; Hall of Honor
Danny Villanueva, Hall of Honor
Charter Members
Cecil Lara; Hall of Honor
Ed Ramirez
Robert Zamora; Hall of Honor