Students Lead Eller MBA’s El Tour de Tucson Team
For the first time in El Tour de Tucson’s 37-year history, MBA Programs in the Eller College of Management at the University of Arizona is sponsoring the internationally known race.
“We have 30 riders representing the Eller MBA,” says Zach Tudor ’20 MBA, who with Charles Liuzzo ’19 MBA is leading the cycling team. “We recognize the social impact that El Tour de Tucson provides, and we wanted to contribute to this amazing event.”
El Tour de Tucson is a fundraising ride held annually the Saturday before Thanksgiving. This year it takes place on November 23. The Eller MBA team of students, faculty, staff and alumni joins more than 9,000 cyclists of all ages and abilities from throughout the U.S. and worldwide. The main event features rides of 25, 50 and 100 miles and “fun rides” of one, four and 10 miles.
Zach Tudor '20 MBA and Charles Liuzzo '19 MBA are leading Eller MBA's El Tour de Tucson 2019 team.
Tudor and Liuzzo are board members of the Eller chapter of Net Impact, an organization of next-generation business leaders dedicated to positive social change—and the organization supporting the students’ participation. “We believe that it is important to engage the community that supports our program in so many ways,” he says. “El Tour de Tucson is a great way to promote wellness and collaboration within our program.”
The annual ride has raised more than $95 million for more than 100 different local and national nonprofit organizations since it began. Tudor and Liuzzo are excited that their team has the opportunity to help. “There are many deserving local charities,” says Liuzzo, “and the proceeds of rider registration directly benefit these organizations.” More than 30 organizations are beneficiaries this year, including Arizona Justice Project, Beads of Courage, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern Arizona.
The team will depart Tucson’s Armory Park neighborhood to ride a loop around Tucson. Miles 10-14 of the course are dedicated to the Eller MBA full-time, evening, executive and online platforms and program alumni, and Eller MBA banners will adorn the finish line.
The MBA riders this year will be supported by spouses, partners, friends and family at the downtown El Tour de Tucson celebration that features music, a beer garden, food vendors, activities for kids and award ceremonies.
“We hope that this year's participation is the beginning of a yearly partnership between the Eller MBA and El Tour de Tucson. We are excited to start this tradition on race day!” says Tudor.
Learn more about El Tour de Tucson—and to join the Eller MBA team, contact the MBA Program at 520-621-4008.
Photo Gallery: Eller MBA riders at El Tour de Tucson
