The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Julian "Kiki'' DeAyala to join Laredo Latin American International Sports Hall of Fame
01.09.2004 | Football
LAREDO, Texas -- Former University of Texas football standout defensive end Julian "Kiki'' DeAyala, and now CEO of Arena Ventures (Laredo Entertainment Center), will join the Laredo Latin American International Sports Hall of Fame. DeAyala will be inducted into the Laredo Latin Hall on Saturday, Jan. 17, at the Laredo Civic Center.
DeAyala played at Texas from 1979-82 and was captain of the 1982 team. DeAyala was an All-Southwest Conference first and second team pick during his UT career and was also the SWC defensive lineman of the year and a third team All-American in 1982. DeAyala still holds six Texas team records. He is the career leader in sacks (40), tackles for loss (60) and quarterback pressures (117) and is also the all-time single-season leader in sacks (22.5), TFLs (33) and pressures (56), earning all of those marks in 1982.
DeAyala was recruited to Texas out of Houston as a blue-chip linebacker. He was also an all-district high school baseball player, and earlier when he lived in Rio de Janeiro, played tennis.vDeAyala was drafted by both the NFL and old United States Football League. He played two seasons with the USFL Houston Gamblers, earning All-Pro both seasons and being named team captain. DeAyala also played two years with the Cincinnati Bengals. His career ended in 1987.
DeAyala went to Laredo more than three years ago with Arena Ventures and partners to start the $35.5 million Laredo Entertainment Center project. The LEC opened in October of 2002 and in its first year hosted over 100 events. The LEC is home to the Central Hockey League Laredo Bucks, who were voted the CHL Franchise of the Year in their first season. Most recently, DeAyala was involved in getting an arenafootball2 franchise to play at the LEC.
Tickets for the induction ceremony are $15 per person and $150 per table.