Lao American Sports Hall of Fame

09/20/2026

Rising Star: Today we are recognizing volleyball player Ingfah “Maddie” Siphakongviseth. Maddie hails from Rochester, NY, where she grew up watching her older sister play. Maddie wouldn’t sit on the sidelines for long making her own mark on the sport. At Webster-Schroeder High School she recorded 662 digs, was named a First Team All-State selection, the Class AA/Division I Player of the Year and Libero of the Year. Perhaps her greatest honor came when she was named the 2025/26 Gatorade New York Volleyball Player of the Year. Maddie now plays at the NCAA DI level with Robert Morris University. She played club with VolleyFX under director Nicksen Sivongsa. She traces her Lao ancestry to Savannakhet. Read the full article on our website.

Maddie Siphakongviseth is a volleyball player from Rochester, NY. She was the 2025/2026 New York Gatorade player of the year during high school and went on to play at the NCAA D1 level at Robert Morris University.

09/17/2026

If you are in the L.A. area and want to be part of something big catch the opening premier of the short film Puma. Puma is the story of a Lao American wrestler from Nebraska. We had the honor of interviewing the producer, Zachary Key-mo Keomysay on our podcast where he walked us through the inspiration for the film. First showing is September 19th, 2026 at the Global Arts Studio. A LAo Night Market will follow. Show your support for this film!

"A Lao-American family left to fend for themselves in rural Nebraska, Jacob — the youngest — fights to hold onto his body, his roots, and his sense of direction. When the one thing connecting them to their grandfather is gone, what little was holding them together begins to unravel."

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/30inthemorning/2363658?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAcGRvZgJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA85MzY2MTk3NDMzOTI0NTkAAacftlGkuEZssuU9kfIepLR_qWgz0dCatHbg8uOl7PgTmb9cab8F5yFlTswiaA_aem_sCrAYoOqr1ZxoWhXuVvGeA

"PUMA" | THE FIRST SCREENINGS – Global Arts Studio, Multiple dates and times - “PUMA”  THE FIRST SCREENINGS  09.19.26 · LOS ANGELES Join us for the first public screenings of “PUMA”, a short f...

09/06/2026

What an amazing experience for the players of W.I.G NAGA. They had a great run falling in the quarter finals to a tough team from Brazil after playing three games back to back in one day. A special thank you to Hak Ban Kerd and everyone that helped make this happen. Members of the Lao American community drove in from several states to show their support.

09/03/2026

We love what is happening with pickleball in Laos. If you didn’t catch out interview with Lunar Pickleball Laos founder Mathew Nola check it out on YouTube, Spotify or Apple.

07/18/2026

Alumni Shout Out: We wanted to give some recognition to former NCAA D2 golfer Ryan Khounlavong. Ryan attended Kentucky State University, where he was a member of the men’s golf team. During his collegiate career, Ryan was part of 5 team victories at the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship at Shoal Creek Club, the Thomas W. Dortch Jr. HBCU Golf Tournament at Eagles Landing CC, the UPIKE Invitational at StoneCrest GC, the Georgetown Invitational at Cherry Blossom GC, and the Derrall Foreman Invitational at Cleveland CC. At the Thomas W. Dortch Jr. HBCU Golf Tournament, the team set a Kentucky State school record with a 10-under-par team score. Ryan contributed with a career-low round of 68 (-4). Ryan graduated in 2023. He traces his Lao heritage to Vientiane.

07/11/2026

We wanted to congratulate Riley Khaodeuanepheng Roewe, a 2026 graduate of Cypress Park High School, on his commitment to play NJCAA Division I baseball at Coastal Bend College in Beeville, TX.

Riley is a 6’2”, 195-pound right-handed utility player and pitcher from Cypress, Texas. He has earned a 7.5 Perfect Game grade, with a 90 mph fastball, 99 mph exit velocity and a 7.19-second 60-yard dash. Riley traces his ancestry to Vientiane, Laos.

Congratulations to Riley on this achievement and the next step in his academic and athletic career!

07/09/2026

The documentary Fallen Star Rising Sun is now available on our YouTube channel. This short film chronicles the life of Ko Chandetka from his humble beginnings in Laos to the Mr. Olympia finals. Ko’s journey is one of triumphs and tribulations.

A unique documentary about the first Lao-American bodybuilder, Ko C...

07/06/2026

We wanted to congratulate Malakai Pathoummourack on his commitment to play football at El Camino College. During his senior season at Cardinal Newman High School in Santa Rosa, he rushed for 1,329 yards, scored 21 touchdowns and led his team to an 11-2 finish and runner up state champions. He was recognized as the REC Adobe Offensive Player of the Year and ranked 31st among running backs in California. We look forward to following Malakai as he enters the world of college football and works towards an NCAA D1 program. Malakai traces his Lao ancestry to Savannakhet.

07/02/2026

We wanted to congratulate JJ Longno Phoummany on his commitment to play NCAA D3 soccer at Manhattanville University (just outside NYC) where he plans to study Data Analytics. Born in the Bronx, JJ began his soccer career playing with Alba FC learning the Coerver System, then moved into to playing in the DA/MLS Next with New York Soccer Club in the very competitive Northeast Division (NYCFC, BW Gottschee, Met Oval, NE Revolution, Toronto FC) After COVID, the family moved upstate to Rochester NY where he continued with the MLS Next Team there, RNYFC. Playing multiple roles over the years with his versatility, he’s settled nicely into a defensive midfield role. Only playing high school soccer his senior year, he was voted All Conference and Team MVP. He will attend Manhattanville University in the Fall and compete for the University in the Skyline Conference. Manhattanville University Men’s Soccer has won 2 league titles in the last 4 seasons.

JJ traces his Lao heritage to Luang Prabang, Laos. His grandparents, Thongphanh and Bounmy Phoummany have retired back LPB and very proud of JJs accomplishments on and off the field.

06/30/2026

We wanted to congratulate Elijah Toms on his commitment to play NCAA D1 football at Oregon State University. Elijah was a stand out defensive back at Desert Vista High School in Phoenix, AZ. At 6’3” and 185 lbs he brings some much-needed size to the Beavers secondary. After evaluating multiple D1 offers including San Deigo state, Tulane and Hawaii, Toms decided to head north to continue his football journey. His brother Mekhi is an NCAA D1 player at the University of Northern Iowa. He traces his Lao ancestry to Pakxan.