BRONX, NY — A very special event took place this past Sunday at Orchard Beach—an event that has been held on the same date and at the same time for the past 34 years.
Every last Sunday in August, with the summer winding down, Latino Sports brings the community together for our annual Celebrity Basketball Tournament and Family Health Day.
We call it our “Give Back to Our Community” event.
Bronx Parks official Moelba Noel Pasante officially kicking off the action this past Sunday afternoon at Orchard Beach with a ceremonial tip-off at center-court – Image Credit: Latino Sports
The South Bronx is the home base of Latino Sports.
It is where our company was founded in 1990, and where we held our very first event, presenting former Texas Rangers outfielder Rubén Sierra with the inaugural LatinoMVP Award at Yankee Stadium.
The first ever LatinoMVP Award presentation in April of 1990 for Texas Rangers outfielder Rubén Sierra during a series at the old Yankee Stadium – Image Credit: Latino Sports Archives
For almost as long as Latino Sports has existed, the Bronx has faced serious health challenges. According to the annual County Health Rankings, the Bronx has consistently ranked among the least healthy counties in New York State. To add to those challenges, New York’s 15th Congressional District, which includes the majority of the South Bronx, has long been recognized as one of the poorest congressional districts in the United States.
That is why Latino Sports is committed to giving back to the community that has been our home for more than three decades.
Our annual event focuses on health through sports, health education and free health screenings. The basketball tournament celebrates people who work every day to improve the quality of life in our communities. We organize games for everyone—from high school and college players to adults and, finally, our senior game.
A day filled with unforgettable moments, friendly competition, and a strong sense of community spirit was had this past Sunday at Orchard Beach with our annual Celebrity Basketball Tournament and Family Health Day taking place – Image Credit: Hector Beauchamp/Latino Sports
The senior game is especially meaningful, with players in their 50s, 60s and even 70s taking the court. In my case, I may have only played for a few minutes, but those minutes were about more than basketball—they are about exercise, staying active and demonstrating that age should never be an excuse to stop moving.
The message is simple: No matter our age, we can all do something to stay healthy. We can play sports, walk, exercise, or simply come to Orchard Beach, enjoy the fresh air and take in the beauty of Pelham Bay Park.
Orchard Beach this past Sunday was buzzing with excitement as Latino Sports, BronxCare, BronxNet, Hoops in the Sun, the New York Yankees, among many others, helped host our beloved annual community event, a perfect blend of entertainment and wellness that offered something for everyone in the family – Image Credit: Latino Sports
This year’s senior games were dedicated to our friend and sponsor of the Senior Games who passed recently, Santos Negrón.
Bragging Rights Belong to BronxNet
The featured game of the day is always the matchup between Latino Sports and BronxNet TV. The winner takes home the “Bragging Rights” Trophy, which has gone back and forth between the two organizations over the years.
The Latino Sports team fell short on the court Sunday afternoon to BronxNet with fans filling in minute by minute to watch the action go down – Image Credit: Latino Sports
Latino Sports entered Sunday’s game as the defending champion after defeating BronxNet in last year’s 33rd Annual Tournament. This year, however, we had to surrender the trophy after losing one of the most competitive and exciting games of the day.
The game went into overtime before BronxNet prevailed, 72-66, reclaiming the Bragging Rights Trophy.
BronxNet came out victorious against Latino Sports in overtime Sunday afternoon to reclaim the Bragging Rights Trophy – Image Credit: Hector Beauchamp/Latino Sports
We’ll be coming for it again next year!
A Family Tradition
We want to give special thanks to brothers, Joe and Randy Cruz, who have continued the vision of their father, Joe “Pops” Cruz, who more than 30 years ago dreamed of creating a strong basketball tournament at Orchard Beach.
José and Randy now operate Hoops in the Sun (HITS), one of the best organized and most respected basketball programs in New York City for young players of all ages. Hoops in the Sun is one of our official sponsors and provides the basketball equipment while helping Latino Sports coordinate and organize the games.
The Co-CEOs of Hoops in the Sun Randy Cruz (L) and Joe Cruz (R) with Latino Sports President and Founder Julio Pabón – Image Credit: Hector Beauchamp/Latino Sports
Their continued partnership has been an important part of making this event possible year after year.
We also extend our sincere thanks to BronxCare Health System, whose Mobile Health Unit returns every year to provide free health screenings, including blood pressure, pulse, glucose and cholesterol checks. For some members of our community, these screenings are particularly important. We have had participants tell us that this may be the only medical screening they receive because they lack adequate health benefits.
That is exactly why this part of our event matters so much.
A special thank you goes out to all the hard work put in by our sponsors leading up to Sunday afternoon at Orchard Beach and during it with boots on the ground – Image Credit: Hector Beauchamp/Latino Sports
We also thank the New York Yankees for providing game tickets for our participants, as well as all of the volunteers who give their time to help make the day a success.
And finally, we thank BronxNet TV for covering and reporting on the games, and the NYC Parks Department—Bronx Division for its continued support.
Our Contribution to the Bronx
For 34 years, Latino Sports has returned to Orchard Beach on the last Sunday of August with a simple mission: to give something back to the community that gave us our beginning.
As our annual event came to a close Sunday afternoon at Orchard Beach, all participants and spectators were already looking forward to next year’s gathering and celebration – Image Credit: Hector Beauchamp/Latino Sports
Sports brought us together. Health gives the day its purpose. And the Bronx remains our home.
Helping bring health, activity and community spirit to the Bronx is our annual contribution to the place we proudly call home.
Follow us on Social Media for updates and exclusive content
Instagram: @latinosportsoficial
Twitter: @latinosports
TikTok: @latino.sports
Facebook: Latino Sports
