Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Meet Wes, a junior entrepreneur at Gettysburg and co-founder of The Local Tap, a  service targeted at college upper classmen for deals on local bars sent right to your phone.

When did this idea surface? Wes: We started following what Groupon and Living Social were doing and wanted to try something out with target marketing. Then we came up with the idea to do something similar, specifically with bars and going after a younger audience.

How did you execute your idea? Wes: Once we came up with the idea to start a deal website, we realized we could really make it something cool. We wanted the name to be synonymous to “going out,” “drinking,” and appeal to young people. The name Local Tap sort of stuck. We bought the domain name, then went out and decided to pitch the idea to a bar. A local bar in Bethesda, MD loved the idea and it sort of took off from there. We raised capital, took the fall semester off, and was able to launch the website by the first week of October 2011. At that point we had 10 bars signed on.

So, how does it work? From your website what are the steps? Wes: 1. Plan Your Night 
Choose the Local Tap bar you want to go to and purchase a $2.00 Tap Deal
 2. Head on out 
Check your email, and bring your phone to the bar and show your Tap Deal to a bouncer
 3. Save! 
Get a wristband and save 25% between 8:00pm and 11:00pm!

What’s your elevator pitch? Wes: The Local Tap is a service that gives you, the customer, a new option when hitting the town. Our coupons provide instant savings at your favorite bars in the D.C Metropolitan area, but now, you choose the bar. We open the door; all you have to do is walk in. We’ve worked out lifetime deals with the bars so the deal is available everyday of the week. (more…)

Tags: college entrepreneurs, The Local Tap

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

What better time to rock a top hat and a cane, Bert style from Mary Poppins, than the last day of school? Following a tradition that dates back to 1916, University of Pennsylvania juniors were lucky enough to celebrate Hey Day 2012 last week, by wearing red shirts, carrying canes, and biting into each other’s styrofoam hats while wandering down Locust Walk on their last day of class.

This celebration is unique to Penn and marks the “moving up” of juniors to the senior class. The parade down Locust Walk ends in front of College Hall where the president of the school addresses the new senior class. (more…)

Tags: Hey Day, University of Pennsylvania

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Looking for Southern, style, and tradition? Enter James P. Adams and Samuel C. Thomas, III, childhood friends and founders of Southern Ties. The guys teamed up a year ago, while still in high school, to create a company that James could present as his senior project.

Now, as freshmen at Sewanee and Hampden-Sydney, these two are making a name for themselves in men’s preppy neckwear. We caught up with Sam to take a look at how it all started.

How did SoTies get off the ground? Sam: We both had part-time jobs and used the money to buy the fabric. We originally made 4 or 5 ties and posted them to our Facebook page after James’ senior project. Our big break came when a woman from Louisville, KY called us up and ordered 12. We skipped school one day and made them ourselves. (more…)

Tags: college entrepreneurs, Southern Ties

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Started by Cam M. and Mike K. in their senior year of high school at Taft, Camelback Music was a senior project they knew would evolve into something great. After adding Eric B. to the team, the music site has been growing ever since.

Although the high school buddies are at different schools, the trio Cam (Vanderbilt) Mike (Colgate) and Eric (Denison) still work on the blog collaboratively. The college sophomores even have an event coordinator, Mike F. at Cornell who helps organize events all over the country. Somehow, whether through email, Facebook, or Skype, they manage to keep it all together seamlessly.

Why did you start Camelback? Cam: I started it at first to simply share music with my friends. I had always loved being the “first guy” with a new song, and showcasing that through a music blog made sense.

When did you realize it was going to be more than just a senior project? C: During my Freshman year at Vanderbilt I kept meeting strangers who had heard of Camelback. Around then I realized it was bigger than just a hobby.

Who was the first artist you really hung out with? C: Sammy Adams. He came down to Nashville last September during my freshman year and I got to kick it with him for most of that night. (more…)

Tags: Camelback Music, playlists

Friday, March 30, 2012

Three ambitious Bowdoin buddies caught the entrepreneurial bug and decided to launch CampusFoodTrucks when they realized the minimal late night food options on campus, including Papa Johns and Dominos.

The three fellows are soccer player Steve, a foodie and NYC native with exposure to the food truck craze, teammate Eric, a go-getter who works the crowd and brings the people, and mobile kitchen owner Isaac, who has the operations skill set from working his truck in a Maine vacation-spot destination during the summers.

Launching last night, CampusFoodTrucks was open for business from 10 PM to 3 AM, attracting friends, strangers and acquaintances with their basic, but delicious menu of late-night staples. We caught up with Eric, one of the founders, to hear about opening night. His energy and excitement was definitely contagious.

What was the crowd favorite? Eric: Our “Stowe Inn Burger” which consists of Texas Toast, pepper jack cheese, bacon, and spicy ranch sauce. I think we might have sold 100.

Are you guys always in the same spot? E: For now. We’re parked by the student union which is a really central location and an ideal spot. (more…)

Tags: Bowdoin, entrepreneurs, food trucks, late-night food

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Upon invading a few campus cribs at Brown and Stanford, we stumbled upon the playing table for the game “Snappa”, and even heard undergrads deem it “the new beer pong.”

Never heard of it? Thanks to Brown senior Jesse, here are the rules to the highly coveted and regularly played gentleman’s game so you can give it a try.

Rule #1: Snappa is first and foremost a gentleman’s game.

(That is not to say that this game of leisure discriminates against girls. Instead, however, it is a testament to the temperament and disposition that players of this mighty sport should embody. Once that rule is understood, the rest is easy.)

The table for Snappa is configured with two players on each team on opposite sides of the table (think of Beirut or beer pong)- however, very importantly they are seated. In front of each player is a full glass of beer, not solo cup (since this is a gentleman’s game, always remember to drink responsibly). (more…)

Tags: Brown, Drinking Games, Snappa, Stanford, Vital Glasses

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

It might be 70 degrees this week on the east coast, but traces of snow will haunt Middlebury students through April and sometimes even May up north. Instead of whining about wind chill factor and below freezing temperatures, the tough undergrads embrace Vermont’s snowy winters and downright enjoy them thanks to their college Snow Bowl that offers three lifts and 17 trails to undergrad students and season-pass holders. In addition to skiing, sledding, and snowboarding the slopes, the students enjoy their annual Winter Carnival, held every February at the facility 20 minutes from campus.

Uscoop’s rep-star Tara recaps February’s bash.

What if you don’t know how to ski at Middlebury? Do you get left in the dust? Tara: Ha. You learn very quickly. Otherwise, you end up sitting inside all winter long. I taught one of my friends from Nashville how to get by in a two month period.

Can you paint the picture of the 89th Winter Carnival scene? Tara: We were lucky enough to celebrate the tradition with a weekend of fresh snow by skiing, doing other icy outdoor activities and rocking out to a Saturday night performance by DJ FunkMaster Flex. Against the backdrop of snowy trees and slippery slopes, Middlebury students dug out their retro snowsuits, hats, beer coats & liquor jackets to indulge.

What’s the highlight of the big weekend? T: Every year, the highlight of the weekend is the Saturday ski races. The day starts early for all of those involved—both racers and spectators. (more…)

Tags: Middlebury College, Winter Carnival

Friday, March 2, 2012

To make the packed flights and hot bus rides more bearable this Spring Break, we compiled a list of good reads and great shows to keep you occupied in transit.

Were you thinking more along the lines of mimosas and Advil PM? You can still make a good impression while you snooze, with a New York Times Bestseller on your lap or an Emmy Winning TV series playing on your phone.

• Read…

1. 1. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (and other concerns)
2. 2. Steve Jobs
3. 3. American Sniper
4. 4. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
5. 5. Shit My Dad Says
6. 6. The Hunger Games
7. 7. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
8. 8. Hilarity Ensues
9. 9. The History of Love
10. 10. Boomerang

• Watch…

1. 1. Downton Abbey
2. 2. Breaking Bad (more…)

Tags: books, Spring Break, tv shows

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Uscoop, it’s your 1st Birthday. Happy Birthday, Uscoop!

We partied like it was our 21st, joined by friends and undergrads at DC’s list-only venue George last Friday night. Georgetown Hoyas and GW Colonials arrived in packs to enjoy a two-hour open bar, dancing, cupcakes, giveaways from co-sponsors including an STA Travel voucher ($250 plane ticket to Owen D.) and of course, posing for pictures like good Uscoopers do.

Looking back on a fantastic year, we have our team of all-star campus reps and student models, our friends, and Y-O-U (loyal Uscoop supporter) to forever thank. 2012 will no doubt be a breakout year as we continue to grow and cover this classic, all-American lifestyle and the brands that define it.

On behalf of Uscoop HQ, including handsome Huxley Mo, thanks so much for getting us off the ground. And to our DC crew, a very special dankeshein for coming out last weekend in high spirits, especially to our long-time friend Mr. Luke Russert who tweeted a big congrats to his 100K followers.  (more…)

Tags: George, Thanks, Uscoop BDay

Monday, February 27, 2012

With “Super Tuesday” upon us next week, you should probably tune in to the GOP primaries and update yourself on the hot candidates. Need some motivation? Here’s a look at one of Washington and Lee’s most popular events, a campus-wide bonanza known as “Mock Con”(Mock Convention).

Every four years, students form state delegations and spend countless hours in research to predict the presidential candidate for the political party out of office.

With 18 correct predictions in 24 attempts, and only two errors since 1948, the convention has been described by Time as the “biggest and boom ingest” of all amateur gatherings.

Held over the weekend of Feb. 9^th, Mock Con was as much a social experience as it was a political one. Uscoop’s rep Julia got an inside look at the events.

Ann Coulter and James Carville kicked off the weekend with a heated debate Thursday evening. Students gathered at off-campus houses with their delegations to socialize after the debate, and awoke Friday morning to take part in the Mock Con parade on the streets of Lexington. (more…)

Tags: Mock Con, Presidential election, Republican candidate, W&L