Penn State College of Communications comMedia

What started as creating a fraternity with a few friends at the Penn State Altoona campus, later led Corcoran to become the IFC vice president of recruitment for the entire main campus Greek life. In high school, Corocoran began a lacrosse program that was otherwise non-existent and left a legacy, and a varsity program. And now, he hopes to use this ability to start a career in music.

"I have to try now when I am young," Corcoran said, "I don't want to look back when I'm 50 years old and have to wonder, what if?"

While he sings and plays the drums and the bass, his true passion is for guitar, which he plays with his band Table Ten. The group has become a local fan favorite and a regular performers at frat parties and local bars such as Cafe 210 and the Phyrst, Corcoran's personal favorite.

"The crowd is right up next to you so it's really interactive," he said.

In addition to that, Corcoran says that the Beaver Avenue bar is known as the place to celebrate a birthday, "so its always fun."

Playing there every Monday night from midnight to 2 a.m., Table Ten started out at open mic night where their fan base grew and they eventually were hired as regulars.

Walking down the stairs into the Phyrst's dark basement-like atmosphere, the group is greeted by the bouncer, owner and friends who come out each Monday to see them perform. Many of those are Corcoran's friends from Altoona and frat brothers, just like singer Zack McCue and drummer Antonio Parisi. Friend since middle school, Jared Stillman, joined the band after a semester of co-op.

As the band sets up their equipment, the crowd expectantly walks up to the edge of the stage where they are close enough to cheers their pitcher of beer with that of the band. By the end of the night, frat brother Kevin Clune joins them on stage to dance and jokingly take money out of the plastic cup serving as a tip jar.

"There is just something different about my friends from Altoona. It's so much smaller that we became so close," Corcoran said.

While he is now an active advocate for Greek life and in the position of recruiting freshman to join, he didn't always feel that way, mostly because he had heard about many of the stereotypes about fraternities from his older sister, a Penn State alumna. Corcoran never thought he would join one, let alone become a founder, but when a few friends approached him everything changed.

"We mostly just wanted to spite the frats we didn't like," Corcoran said with a laugh, "we wanted to show them that this is what a fraternity should be, just a good group of friends."

Their attempt was successful as the Sigma Tau Gamma chapter became the fastest growing and largest colonization at any college campus. Even more so, those friends have remained his best as he transferred to the University Park campus and became more involved in IFC, the interfraternity council, where Corcoran is responsible for showing freshman the benefits of going Greek.

Corcoran is no stranger to helping those younger than him. While he is four years out of his Lancaster high school, he still returns to help coach the lacrosse team, a team he helped create. Going into high school with only a small club program, and leaving it as a successful varsity sport, Corcoran says he is proud of that accomplishment.

"It's the feeling of leaving something better then how it started," he said.

In addition to his support on the field, Corcoran gives back to the team in the form of a scholarship. In memory of a former teammate, who passed away due to sleep apnea, he began an annual alumni game where a $500 scholarship would be awarded at the conclusion.

"It's not necessarily for the best player on the team, but one that is a good sportsman and overall teammate, like Pat was," he explained.

Throughout his time spent with the team, each time he is home including this past spring break, Corcoran has built a strong relationship and says he knows that they look up to him. He said he would advise the graduating seniors to be wary of the freedom of college, which can be "a double-edged sword." However, as long as they are with their true friends, they will have the time of their lives.

As for his own graduation, Corcoran says will pursue his passion of music, most likely in Nashville where a strong independent music scene exists. Although he admits it is a lofty aspiration, he says he has to try.

Where as others may have left their dreams behind, Corcoran says he is not ready to give up on what he has wanted since he was in fifth grade and idolized the Beatles.

"It just hasn't faded for me yet."

Corcoran Stays True to Roots

The former lacrosse player and co-founder of his high school team, volunteers to coach in his home town.

See more work by Emily Sher in her portfolio

Resume, audio slideshow and a picture slideshow from an international reporting trip to Mexico City are included.

• Emily Sher

• Audio slideshows
• Video projects
• Multimedia projects
• Student portfolios

Website designed and developed by Blue Banana Designs