On Tuesday night, September 22, the Austin Aztex held their 2009 Season Awards Dinner at the Hilton Garden Inn in north Austin.  It is at this event, where players, staff, Founder's Club members and invited guests get together to celebrate the recently completed season.

It was a bitter sweet event.  It was great to see all the players in a social setting, something that is very special to me personally.  It was also the clearest example since the last Nelson Field match that the 2009 season is done (albeit, with a few more non-league games left).  Before we get to the awards, there were some presentations that I wanted to be sure and tell you about.

The first "presentation" was a video clip that was a review of the Aztex season, including goals by players such as Yordany Alvarez, Jean Alexandre and Eddie Johnson.  All received to applause.  We were also treated to some video of brilliant save by Miguel Gallardo, who made the saves seem almost "effortless"!!

The first speaker up was Aztex owner and President, Phil Rawlins, who commented about the recent season.  Phil recognized sponsors, staff, players and supporters.  Especially mentioned was Chantico's Army, who had a large contingent of fans who were onsite.

After Phil, Coach Adrian Heath provided some insight.  Although Adrian mentioned the regret that he had that we were celebrating the year end awards, just a few nights before the USL started the 2009 Playoffs, he made a promise that our Awards Dinner would be later next year.  The reason for this was as a result of the Aztex making the playoffs!!!

We then got underway with the awards.  A majority of the awards were given by the Aztex organization, however, this was the first year that a non-Aztex group presented an award.  This year, I was privileged, along with other members of the Army, to present the first annual "Chantico's Army Cup" to the player that the Army selected as their "Player of the Year".  I was proud to present the award to Miguel Gallardo, who barely beat out Eddie Johnson for the initial award (you can see the final table and pictures below).

Austin's Miguel Gallardo won the 2009 Chantico's Army Cup, which is awarded to the Aztex player selected by members as the Player of the Year.  Although it was a close contest, Gallardo was selected through a combination of "Man of the Match" votes throughout the year, and a final "Player of the Year" vote.

Members of Chantico's Army who attended the 2009 Aztex Aware Dinner pose with 2009 winner, Miguel Gallardo, during the award presentation. From l to r; Brian, Alora, Ed, Eric, Chris H., Nick, Miguel, Tony, Kevin, Jeff, Chis G., and Matthew.

Chantico's Army President Matthew Gray present Aztex President & Owner Phil Rawlins with a plaque to be placed in the Aztex offices, that will list the Chantico's Army Cup winners for each year.