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. 

• See the September winners here
   
• 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. 

Nominations are now open and last the entire season. No need to nominate every month. 

• Student-Athlete of the Month (Male and Female)
• Coach of the Month
• Volunteer of the Month
• Referee of the Month

Spirit of Tex Female Student Athlete of the Month - Lilliana
Lilliana is in seventh grade at Marshall Ranch where she competes for her school's Cross Country team and is on the flag football team. On the field, she plays for the RSL AZ North 11 Girls Tomasevic Royals DPLO team. She has been a difference maker for her team scoring many goals and recording many assists. She also has played up with the Royals FC AZ ECRL teams this year. 

"I believe that Lilliana is a player who can impact a team on and off the field and sets a standard for her team. Lily is incredibly competitive in everything she does and wants her teammates around her to be just as good or if not better and she does a great job motivating her teammates when needed as well as holding them accountable. Lily is also humble and an incredibly hard worker," said her coach Stefan Tomasevic."

Spirit of Tex Male Student Athlete of the Month - Yahia
Yahia is a junior at Arizona College Prep. On the field, he competes for the RSL AZ South 06/07 Boys Bogus team. He leads by example and makes sure his teammates remain focused to compete at the high levels in training and matches. 

"Yahia overcame a hamstring injury early in the season and still showed up to training and matches to support his team while he went through PT. He was limited to playing time and slowly progressed to where he is now. He kept his head up and remained focused like a true teammate," said his coach Justin Bogus. 

Spirit of Tex Coach of the Month - Christian Martinez
Christian coaches several teams, both male and female. He seeks to improve all of his players not just on but off the field by way of his leadership and character values.

Spirit of Tex Volunteer of the Month - Jake
Jake had been a team manager for RSL-AZ for many years. Jake's level of care and concern for each and every player is what sets him apart from other volunteers I have worked with. He is willing to do the small things like carry tents, Veo, coolers, take photos at games, organize team meals. You name it Jake is happy and willing to take care of it without any questions and expects absolutely nothing back in return. He is truly selfless for the greater good of the team. The 09DPLO team is lucky to have him and he is fully deserving of this recognition.

Spirit of Tex Referee of the Month - Dylan
This is Dylan's third season playing for RSL and her first season as a referee. She enjoys seeing her favorite sport from a different perspective, and feels like her experiences as a ref make her a better player. Dylan attends Desert Shadows Middle School where she's in the Visual Arts Academy and an active member of the National Junior Honors Society. Off the field she loves playing guitar, drawing and painting, listening to music, going to concerts, spending time with friends and family, and cuddling her two dogs.