RSL AZ and Earnhardt Auto Centers are pleased to announce the Spirit of Tex monthly awards, which honor the legacy and values of Tex Earnhardt, founder of Earnhardt Auto Centers. 

Through a partnership with Earnhardt Auto Centers, RSL AZ families have been invited to join the exclusive VIP program. Registration & more details here.

Every month from September to April, RSL AZ and Earnhardt Auto Centers will recognize a Coach of the Month, Referee of the Month, Volunteer of the Month, Male Student-Athlete of the Month, and Female Student-Athlete of the Month. In June, all monthly winners will be eligible to be named the Spirit of Tex Coach of the Year, Spirit of Tex Volunteer of the Year, Spirit of Tex Referee of the Year, Spirit of Tex Male Student-Athlete of the Year, and Spirit of Tex Female Student-Athlete of the Year. Winners will also earn a scholarship. 

Spirit of Tex Female Student-Athlete of the Month - Amelia
Amelia graduated from Hamilton High School this year and is committed to playing at University of California - Irvine, whose women’s soccer team made it to the NCAA sweet sixteen last season. Off the field, Amelia volunteered with the Kiwanis group, Feed My Starving Children, and was a member of the National Society of High School Scholars. On the field, she played for the Royals FC AZ 05/06 ECNL RL team where she was the team captain and led by example on and off the field. She helped uphold the standard for competitive spirit and work ethic. She helped create a positive environment that is stress-free and high energy, providing direction and vision for the team to compete to win and play with high intensity in matches. 

Spirit of Tex Male Student-Athlete of the Month - Zach
Zach attends Notre Dame Preparatory High School where he will be a senior this upcoming year. Off the field, Zach is an AP Honors student holding a 4.28 GPA and is a president of the NDP Debate Club. He also volunteers at his church, youth soccer camp, and with Feed My Starving Children where he helps prepare meal packs for malnourished kids throughout the world. Zach is a 3-year varsity letterman in soccer and also played on the football team. Zach is entering his twelfth year of club soccer serving as a team captain for 8 years. On the RSL soccer field, Zach is the team captain and plays center back. He is a huge part of his team's defensive side which only conceded a few goals all year long. He is a leader who kept the defensive side strong. He also contributed on the offensive end with his long ball accuracy into the wide channels that sparked considerable offense for his team. Zach took free kicks and went in for most corner kicks where his height and jumping ability made him a threat.

Spirit of Tex Coach of the Month - Sarah Land
It is hard to explain how great of an environment Sarah has created for our girls over the past two years.  She has truly elevated each of the girls to a level I did not know was possible at this age.  The trust she has built with all of the girls has allowed her to keep pushing each of them to be their very best.  She has continually created opportunities to challenge the girls and give them chances to get extra reps. 

Spirit of Tex Volunteer of the Month - Krista Moreland
Krista started as a team manager this year and has gone above and beyond planning team trips, making budgets, and coordinating events. She has ensured every player and family has felt welcomed to the team. She ensures information is relayed in a relevant manner and works to ensure all families and players are up to date with any information that needs to be communicated. She works collaboratively with other volunteers, parents, and coaches. The impact goes beyond soccer. She spends time finding the best rates for hotels and airplane tickets. She brings extra water, equipment, and other soccer necessities to every game. If there is a hiccup in any planning, she doesn't accept no as the answer, but how can we find a way to make it happen. Ultimately, we are lucky to have her as a volunteer for our team and for our organization. It has helped build the community within our team and organization.

Spirit of Tex Referee of the Month - Palmer
I have been playing soccer since I was 4 years old. Two days ago, I turned 16, and still enjoy playing. I began referring about two years ago to make some money to hangout with friends and put gas in my car.