The Bakersfield Voice

By: Todd Schetz

The Boys Under-14 Central California Aztecs of Bakersfield, have been selected as the inaugural recipients of the Fox Soccer Channel Team Spirit Award, an honor announced during the Cal South Nike Awards Banquet on Jan. 5 at the Wilshire Grand Hotel.

The Team Spirit Award was created to reward a Cal South-affiliated youth soccer squad that best excels in leadership and promoting good sportsmanship both on and off the field. As part of the award, the Central California Aztecs received a $1,000 check from Fox Soccer Channel to be used towards equipment and tournament entry fees. They will appear in a 30-second promotional spot on the network highlighting their accomplishment. Each team member also received a gift pack courtesy of Fox Soccer Channel.

The Central California Aztecs were founded in 2004 by Ricardo Gutierrez who recognized that only a select few children in the Bakersfield community have the financial means to play organized club soccer. There is no cost to participate while Gutierrz coaches, manages and coordinates all team activities on a volunteer basis. Through creative budgeting and solicitation of donations, the Aztecs have been able to compete in elite tournaments for the first time over the past year, and have risen to No. 6 in Southern California according to Got Soccer.

Coach Gutierrez teaches his players that just as much is expected of them off the pitch as on it. The Aztecs are required to volunteer in their community, maintain a certain grade point average, treat others with respect and serve as role models for younger players. In a true display of team unity and philanthropy, last year the Under-14 Aztecs voted to use only a portion of their allocated uniform money and purchased simple T-shirts with numbers screened on the back, to ensure that the club’s Under-14 squad would be properly outfitted as well.

Fox Soccer Channel is the official broadcast partner of Cal South, which in addition to the Nike Awards Banquet also staged its Soccer Nation Expo last weekend at the Los Angeles Convention Center. This two-day event — the largest free soccer festival in the United States — drew a record 37,000 visitors in 2008. Cal South represents 220 member leagues and clubs comprising its membership of 137,000 registered players, coaches and league administrators in a service area extending from San Luis Obispo to San Diego.