On Friday, the USL Championship announced the 2023 Front Office Starting XI awards, recognizing clubs that delivered for their fans and communities, and set the standard for clubs across the USL ecosystem. The annual awards are voted on by club staff in various departments as well as league officials.
The Indomitable Club was nominated in 9 of the 11 categories and earned honors in four – more than any other club in the Championship.
“2023 was all about celebrating our 10th season as a club and Sacramento community, and these awards are a testament to the commitment and quality we strive for every day,” said Republic FC CEO and Owner Kevin Nagle. “We are incredibly proud of the hard work our entire team puts into every year and grateful for the fans and supporters that make us the best club in the league.”
Individual Nominations
- Dustin Vicari, Chief Revenue Officer: Business Excellency Award (WINNER)
- Heather Barone, Director of Partnership Activation: Corporate Sales Award
- Michael Donato, Director of Ticket Sales & Service: Ticketing Award
- Sara Castillo, Human Resources Director: Human Resources Award
- Wendy Kosterman, Marketing Manager: Consumer Products Award
Department Nominations
- Community Relations Award (WINNER)
- Marketing Award (WINNER)
- Digital Award – Website & App (WINNER)
- PR/Communications Award
This is the second year in a row that Republic FC has led USL clubs in Starting XI nominations, with back-to-back nominations in six categories. Last year, the club took home awards in PR/Communications and Digital.
Chief Revenue Officer Dustin Vicari and Director of Ticket Sales & Service Michael Donato led the Ticket Sales and Partnerships departments to reach new heights in 2023, consistently among the league’s leaders in ticket sales, partnership revenue, and match attendance. In August, 20,000 fans came out for the club’s 10th Season Celebration Match at the site of the first-ever home matches, just as they did back in 2014, selling out each match at Hughes Stadium. Fans showed out in record numbers with over 250,000 guests attending home matches, including five-straight weekend sellouts to close out the year.
In a first-of-its-kind partnership, the club teamed up with Western Health Advantage to add a 988 patch to all player-worn and retail kits, driving awareness for the national suicide prevention lifeline and destigmatizing conversations around mental health. Through the partnership – driven by Starting XI nominees Vice President of Community Investment Scott Moak, Director of Community Investment Kevin Burdick, and Director of Partnership Activation Heather Barone – the club set a new standard for the innovative ways that sports marketing can impact communities.
Building on the historic 2022 U.S. Open Cup run, Republic FC’s Media & Communications team once again ignited the world’s soccer fandom when the 13-year-old Da’vian Kimbrough signed his first professional contract with the club in August. News of Kimbrough’s historic signing reached nearly 350 cities worldwide with a global reach of 3.1 billion people.
A 10th Season Celebration campaign is no easy task, and Republic FC’s marketing department took the challenge head-on. Led by Vice President of Marketing Ben Mayberry and Merchandise Manager Wendy Kosterman, the team designed and launched three kits and merchandise capsules with new provider hummel, highlighted local artists through Hispanic Heritage and Pride collections, and saw year-over-year merchandise sales across the board. The department also played an integral part in the club’s record-setting revenue and attendance, spreading Republic FC’s brand all across the region.
With the league’s largest digital following, Director of Digital Content & Photography Eira Castillo and her team earn a second consecutive USL Starting XI honor. From Da’vian Kimbrough’s signing and debut, to the biggest sporting event of the summer at Hughes Stadium, the digital team is the catalyst behind Republic FC’s online storytelling and brand recognition, reaching fans across the globe on the web.
Director of Human Resources Sara Castillo earns her nomination for the league’s HR award. In 2023, she launched a new wellness program to foster a healthy lifestyle for employees, both at work and at home. She is the driving force behind supporting the professional and personal growth and development of the club’s front office staff, as well players and seasonal employees, and creating a safe and welcoming environment for all.
With the start of Republic FC’s 2024 campaign five weeks away, fans can now purchase tickets to the club’s home opener and the entire 2024 USL Championship season. In its 11th campaign, the Indomitable Club is looking to build on a strong 2023 season that saw Republic FC finish on top of the Western Conference regular season table, reach new milestones, and earn several honors across the league. With 17 players returning from last year’s roster, the club is ready to pick up right where it left off, focused on bringing a championship to Sacramento.