Otero, Salo 2002-02-15
Salo Otero talks about his experiences working as a sports editor for the Laredo Times. He also sheds light on the growth of football in Laredo, Texas.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Salo Otero
Additional Parties Recorded:
Date: February 15, 2002
Location: Laredo, Texas
Interviewer: Jorge Iber
Length: 00:52:11
Abstract
Background; Sportswriter for Laredo Times; Born at Valencia, New Mexico; Talks about his parents and their occupation, his siblings; Education; Rio Grande High School; University of New Mexico; Chicano Movement; Not actively involved; Worked for Albuquerque Journal; Known as ‘Yellow Journalist’; Covered a Reies Lopez Tijerina Meeting; Covered sports events mostly; Graduation; Did not graduate - 20 Hours short of Graduation; Reason to come to Laredo; Drive to be a sports editor; Considered moving to California; Job interview at Laredo Times; Joining Laredo Times; Disapproval by family about move; Talks about New Mexican’s prejudice towards Texas; Sports Scene at Laredo; Good coverage of local sports; Local athletes were Hispanic and so there was no mistreatment; 1960’s Laredo had three public schools; Football is very popular amongst high school students; Football is played only if the students love playing it; Perception of Mexican Americans as athletes; Evolution, nutrition and coaching has improved perception; Laredo is not a powerhouse of football due to built of athletes; Good at athletics, baseball; Television coverage of sports has increased competitiveness; Better economic conditions has led to better athletes; Permission to attend camps (basketball, soccer) given to high school students; Talks about growth of soccer; Run and shoot football games for Hispanics; Talks about success of Mexican coaches; Successful at basketball as compared to football; Comments on Spanish speaking abilities of Anglo-Americans; Talks about David Sanchez; Talks about change in perception of Mexican athletes; No longer ‘graveyard of coaches’; Not possible to win state championships; Talks about sporting events at his alma mater.
Access Information
Original Recording Format:
Recording Format Notes:
Transcript: No transcript available
Thank you for your interest in this oral history interview. Our oral history collection is available to patrons in the Southwest Collection's Reading Room, located on the campus of Texas Tech University. For reading room hours, visit our website. Please contact Reference Staff at least one week prior to your visit to ensure the oral history you are interested in will be available. Due to copyright issues, duplications of our oral histories can only be made for family members. If an oral history transcript has been made available online, the link will be provided on this page. More information on accessing our oral histories is located here. Preferred citation style can be found here.
