As we prepare for the 2007-2008 season, I look back at the beginning of Embry-Riddle Athletics with great pride and satisfaction.  Through the hard work and dedication of our student-athletes, coaches, and administrators, we have built a successful and growing small college athletic program with 29 All Americans, 7 National Champions, a National Team Sportsmanship Award and, most importantly, 27 Academic All American scholar athletes!

Small college athletics offer the opportunity for student athletes to pursue their academic dreams while competing in intercollegiate athletics.  It is imperative that small college athletic programs work in conjunction with the local community in order to be able to recruit and retain student athletes capable of performing at a high level-both athletically and academically.  Our 85 student athletes maintained over a 3.0 GPA during the 2006-2007 academic year-performing at a higher academic level than the average ERAU student for the third consecutive year. It has been this dedication to academic performance that has resulted in 27 of our student athletes being honored as Academic All-American scholar athletes.

Our student athletes have also learned the importance of giving back to the community and supporting those less fortunate.  In the 2005-2006 academic year alone, our athletic teams have volunteered over 5,300 hours in the local community, supporting such projects as Stepping Stones,  the Good Gun Foundation, MS Golf Tournament, Student Government Association and A Taste of Prescott.  They are always striving to find new ways to contribute to their community.

ERAU Athletic Department and student athletes continue to embrace the  traits of the NAIA Champions of Character initiative— Sportsmanship, Integrity, Servant Leadership, Respect and Responsibility.

In addition, with the high cost to construct and maintain athletic facilities, your support is critical to our success.  ERAU has partnered with the local community allowing the campus athletic facilities to be available for a wide variety of functions like the MS Golf Tournament Banquet, AYSO Soccer Tournament, Little League & Girl’s Softball Practice, City Trail system connecting from Pioneer Park to Willow Lake and much more.  With your support, we can continue to develop our facilities that benefit the intercollegiate programs, the campus community and the entire tri-city community.

Most importantly, being involved in the EAA will allow you and your family the opportunity to interact, mentor and develop positive relationships with the outstanding young student athletes at ERAU. These future leaders will benefit from your support and, in turn, will continue to give back to the community and our community’s youth

I hope you will join me in supporting our student athletes this year by becoming a member of the Eagle Athletic Association.  Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.  It is more than just a great opportunity to support our program; it’s a chance to identify yourself, your family or your business with one of our community’s most exciting and dynamic assets– THE EMBRY-RIDDLE EAGLES!

Larry K. Stephan

Director of Athletics

If you, or someone you know, are interested in joining the EAA, contact the Office of Sports Marketing at 928.777.3791 or email stephan@erau.edu.

Click here for EAA Membership Form