SANDY, Utah (Tuesday, November 27, 2018) – Utah Royals FC FW Amy Rodriguez was named the 2018 URFC Humanitarian of the Year for her widespread work in the community during the club’s inaugural season.
“I just wanted to contribute good to my new community in Utah. Visiting Primary Children’s Hospital was so touching. Having children of my own, I know that as a parent you want to protect them and give them the world. Being able to visit kids felt close to home for me,” Rodriguez said. “The award isn’t why the team spent so much time in the community this season, but it’s such an honor to receive it. I hope to raise the bar even higher next year.”
Rodriguez was instrumental in organizing and launching the Goals for Girls Leadership Summit at the Zions Bank Training Center in Herriman, Utah, leading a panel on dealing with adversity. Throughout the season, she frequently visited Primary Children’s Hospital, befriending several patients that she would later host at URFC matches. In addition, she hosted six raffle winners from a Multiple Sclerosis benefit auction and held private training sessions with the winners. That goes in addition to her postgame visit to children in the Make-A-Wish program following Utah Royals FC’s regular season finale and a Scheels shopping Spree with a visiting delegation from India as part of the Goals for Girls Leadership Summit, among others.
“Amy set the standard high for community work with our new NWSL team,” RSL Foundation Executive Director Mary Van Minde said. “She really took the initiative to get involved and opened doors for opportunities to contribute in many different ways and we are so thankful and proud of her efforts.”
Rodriguez came back from a torn ACL suffered in the 2017 season to finish second on URFC with five goals in her 19 appearances, 16 in a starting role. Utah Royals FC finished fifth in NWSL in 2018 at 9-7-8, two points out of the fourth and final playoff spot.
