PHOENIX (Tuesday, January 30th, 2024) -- RSL AZ and Earnhardt Auto Centers are pleased to announce the December Spirit of Tex monthly awards, which honor the legacy and values of Tex Earnhardt, founder of Earnhardt Auto Centers. 

• See September winners here
• See October winners here
• See November winners 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 for January!

• Student-Athlete of the Month
• Coach of the Month
• Volunteer of the Month
• Referee of the Month

Spirit of Tex Male Student-Athlete of the Month - Keshav
Keshav is a 5th grader at Knox Gifted Academy where is he in the classroom with straight A's. He is part of the school orchestra and plays violin. He began playing soccer at the age of 5 and has a lot of enthusiasm and excitement on the field. He plays midfield and left wing. He is known for his accurate passing and dribbling skills. When he is not playing soccer, he likes solving Rubik's Cube, playing Nintendo Switch, and drawing. He helps by volunteering at Andre's house and Feed My Starving Children once a month. 

Spirit of Tex Female Student-Athlete of the Month - Nissi
Nissi is a freshman at Valley Vista High School where she currently carries a 4.3 GPA. At Valley Vista, she is a 1st chair violinist in orchestra and has been selected to participate in the All State Orchestra. She also plays for her school's varsity golf and soccer teams and will be playing tennis in the spring. On the field, she is always going above and beyond. She is seen as a leader on the field, helping other teammates by guiding and teaching them.

Spirit of Tex Coach of the Month - Hector Molina

Hector Molina is a fantastic choice as the coach of the month because of his connection with the players on his team, the ability to see what his players need on and off the field, his determination to want his players to be the best while with grace and dignity, and his communication to the parents! I have seen several of his players from HMolina13 start the year behind other players. After the first season finished, those players are not only on par with the team, a few have surpassed those that have been with the coach for a while! 

Spirit of Tex Volunteer of the Month - Carissa Flores
Carissa has served as a volunteer team manager for the last 3 years for multiple teams within RSL AZ West Valley. She also has selflessly assisted in training and supporting new team managers as they learn the responsibilities of the position. She offers her photography skills, taking photos for teams throughout the club, her photos often being utilized by the club to promote the wonderful achievements of individual players, coaches, and teams. Carissa also helps all of her children's sports programs at their schools, donating her time and energy to those programs and their fundraising efforts. She is quick to lend a hand, welcomes newcomers, share information to help someone out, and is a huge supporter and advocate of others in general. She is the first to join someone in celebrating an accomplishment or supporting their cause. Her presence and contributions to the West Valley club over these last several years have been tremendous, her positivity contagious, and her dedication inspiring.

Spirit of Tex Referee of the Month - Tamas Varga
I started refereeing back in 2015 as a way to spend some time between games and to get some extra exercise. My kids got certified in 2017 and 2018. They are now 18 and 16 and they are still doing it.