History of off-roading at ERAU Prescott...

The history of Eagle Off-Road Club begins in the Fall 2000 semester when Tye Jones ('02) created and lead the first off-road organization, ERAU 4WD Club, together with Jon Provens ('02) as Vice-President, Jason Craig ('01) as Treasurer, and Professor Arthur Draut as Advisor. This newly-established club grew exponentially and attracted more than 30 members in just the first semester. All kinds of rigs were represented in this first club, including mud boggers, desert racers, rock crawlers, and more. Local off-roading spots around the Prescott area were explored, many of which the current club continues to visit, including Mingus Mountain, Table Mesa, Thumb Butte, the National Forests, and the Bradshaws south of town.

September 16, 2000: First trail run in the Prescott National Forest of the newly formed club

In order (R-L): Jason Craig (Bronco), Jon Provens/Charles White (S-10), Brian Cayton/Mark Larsen (XJ), Andy Sensi (truck), Ryan Bell (Bronco), Tye Jones (yellow CJ5), Jesse Calder/Josh Armbruster (XJ)

ERAU 4WD Club remained active for several years following its formation, running trails not only in the Prescott area, but all over the southwest United States. The club also participated in several community events promoting responsible trail use and trail cleanups. The archived website for the original ERAU 4WD Club can be found at this link, with many pictures and stories of events the club ran.

Table Mesa trail cleanup day in 2004 near Black Canyon City, AZ

Following the original officers' graduations, Aaron Russell became President with Payton Norvell serving as Vice-President. ERAU 4WD Club remained active for several years until around the 2008-2010 time frame when many members and officers graduated and there wasn't a next generation of students interested in taking the reins. The global recession also affected the club members' ability to fund off-road adventures and rigs, so with time, the club fizzled out.

Fast forward to today....

Frustrated at the fact that ERAU has not had an off-road club for many years, Diego Daudt ('22, President) founded Eagle Off-Road Club (EORC) in the Spring 2021 semester by recruiting interest using a few simple posters around campus billboards. With the help of Ethan Bruckler ('23, Vice-President), Bryce Haines (Treasurer), and Anthony McLevsky ('23, Secretary), a new Registered Student Organization (RSO) was officially formed and the club exploded with popularity. In the Fall 2021 semester, Jonathan Cooper ('22) took over as Treasurer and Brent Ellzey (Senior Network Engineer) was established as the Advisor.

September 11, 2021: EORC's first club event in the Fall 2021 semester, almost 21 years later...

In order (L-R): Reese Kelley (JK), Jason Fastre (ZJ), Ethan Bruckler (Tacoma), Anthony Respondi (JK), Diego Daudt (JL), Michael Griffey (JK), Devin Cole (TJ), Tesla Alford (JL), Austin Morgan (JK), Hunter Ray (Crosstrek)

With over 100+ members and a very active Discord, EORC has a strong foundation for the future that will allow the club to last beyond all its current members' time in school.