Embry-Riddle College, The Golden Eagle Archers

Lighting the bonfire at Embry-Riddle

photo by Tina Blake

Embry-Riddle Archery Club was formed approximately three years ago. Today, under the leadership of Tina Blake, Embry-Riddle continues to grow as a club sport. There is a wide variety of archers shooting in the club: compound, recurve, and traditional. The goal is to be inclusive and welcome all types of archers. The current team is composed of both beginners and advanced archers. Many members of the club are new to the sport, having become aware of archery in college. Those just starting out have found a new hobby and a love in an old sport. The current club has approximately 25 members and is always ready to recruit more archers to the group. Dominated by male archers, the female membership is currently at five. Most students attending the university are pursuing Aeronautical science or aerospace engineering degrees. There are a few students majoring in intelligence studies as well.

The club practices at Mile High Archery in Prescott Valley, and recently received permission to practice in the university gym as well. For outdoor practice, the team will travel to North Phoenix.

ina Blake is not a new comer to the sport of archery. She has been shooting since the age of 12 and competed in the JOAD program. When she was in high school, she won the title for Arizona State Champion and competed in college at Arizona State University. After a ten-year break, Tina rekindled her interest in archery and started working with the students at Embry-Riddle.

The Golden Eagle Archers have yet to compete regionally or nationally but plan to attend some events during the 2005-2006 season, including the Arizona State Indoor and the State Outdoor Championships and hopefully the 2006 USIACs in San Diego.