Anyone who argues that dreams don't come true is obviously unacquainted with Adam Wasserman and the other members of the "King Pong Crew." Wasserman graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in economics and immediately worked as an account executive for two years.
But his life changed forever after a lunch with his friend, Dan Shuman, who graduated from U of A with a degree in marketing, during which the idea surfaced to start a business selling beer pong tables. Beer pong is a drinking "sport" in which two teams take turns throwing ping pong balls into their opponent's beer-filled cups.
"We saw the potential of the idea, and one thing led to another and we started planning," Wasserman said. "Our love for the game back in school drove us to make a cheap and affordable way for students and graduates to enjoy beer pong."
After testing the market by receiving feedback from friends and his college-enrolled brother, Wasserman knew he was onto a big idea.
"(Beer pong) is at every party," Wasserman said. "It's underground, the way poker used to be before it went mainstream, and now that beer pong is getting popular, it feels a little surreal."
San Diego State students are aware of the rising popularity of beer pong.
"It's hard to find a party where people aren't playing beer pong," civil engineering junior Erik Edholm said. "The first thing I do at a party is put my name down for next game."
The company's Web site, www.kingpong.com, offers customized tables with any logo. The tables are easily transported and come in both plastic and wood.
Wasserman described the many benefits of an Internet-based company.
"Obviously, it's a cost reduction because there is no rent on a store," Wasserman said. "But since (beer pong tables) are a limited product, we can appeal to all 50 states instead of just people in San Diego."
After being in business for nearly a year, the King Pong owners wanted to publicize their company in a unique way.
"We were so tired of seeing print advertisements like fliers on car windshields," Wasserman said.
The owners created a division of their company called "The King Pong Tour" to organize beer pong tournaments.
"What better way to promote our product than by sponsoring these tournaments?" Wasserman said.
The King Pong Tour coordinates competitions with bars whose owners and employees are eager to receive the large clientele the game attracts.
"I think it's a great forum for household players to test and hone their skills against the local competition," history senior Will Abramovitz said.
The next San Diego tournament will be held in February in Pacific Beach.
"I love my job," Wasserman said. "The fact that my job is based around beer pong is a dream come true."
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