Spencer Wood: Entrepreneurial Athlete

Spencer Wood of Salisbury, New Hampshire graduated in May with a master’s degree in human development. He also earned his undergraduate degrees in communications and human development with a minor in peace and reconciliation studies from the University of Maine.

Throughout his UMaine career, the student-athlete has been involved in several academic, entrepreneurial and social initiatives including the UMaine student organization Male Athletes Against Violence. As an undergraduate, he played on the UMaine football team while pursuing a double major and minor.

Wood has worked closely with the staff at UMaine’s Foster Center for Student Innovation who helped him enter and succeed in two local business competitions — the UMaine Business Challenge and the Big Gig.

In April, Wood won the latest Big Gig pitch-off finale where finalists from three Big Gig pitch-off events competed for a $1,500 grand prize. Wood presented the app Tip Whip, which would allow college students to find a ride within a 3-mile radius of their location in order to avoid drunk driving.

The Big Gig is a series of business pitch events for entrepreneurs in Greater Bangor designed to bring together area innovators and entrepreneurs and offer networking opportunities. It was started by a partnership between UMaine, Old Town, Orono and Husson University and was supported by Blackstone Accelerates Growth.

In 2013, Wood placed second in the UMaine Business Challenge, the state’s largest student entrepreneurship competition. He was awarded $1,000, as well as patent and law consulting for his business, BodyGuard Fitness that offers a comprehensive and demanding full-body workout.

“I needed something to keep my body in peak physical condition that I could take on the road and use in the residence halls when I was living on campus,” Wood says.

Wood was the outreach and professional development officer for the Graduate Student Government this year; a Black Bear Mentor for a local at-risk youth the past four years; the graduate assistant for family relationship professors Sandy Caron and Gary Schilmoeller; and a tenant of the Foster Center for Student Innovation for the past five years.

Wood also is a graduate of Foundations, a one-year program that provides students who do not meet the admissions standards for their chosen major an opportunity to adjust to college on an academic contract with a restricted class schedule. He credits the program with allowing him to pursue two majors and a minor while playing a college sport.

Congratulations on winning the Big Gig. Why did you participate?
At this stage in my [app] startup, every dollar and connection counts. I wanted to challenge myself to create a winning pitch and meet others in my shoes.

Can you describe your ride-sharing app?
Tip Whip is a free ride-sharing service for college students. We do not put a price tag on a student’s decision to stay safe. The app connects our students, community and school with each other so we can help one another stay safe. Tip Whip is unique because we don’t charge. Our sole mission is to reduce the consequences of college drinking while improving the student experience. I formally established Tip Whip LLC in December 2014. Since then we have safely transported over 6,000 UMaine students.

Why did you join Male Athletes Against Violence and how have you been involved with the group?
I have been involved with MAAV for four years. I coordinated and taught the course for three of those years. I got involved for personal reasons. My sister’s college roommate was dating a football player that I naturally looked up to as an aspiring college athlete myself. He assaulted her and threatened my sister’s life. I wanted to be a positive role model for our youth and community. People need to know there are male athletes who are working everyday to create a stronger community.

What was Foundations like and how did it help you academically?
Foundations was the first time someone told me it was OK to not have a focus. They allowed me to dabble in a lot of different classes. By the end of my freshman year, I had already compiled enough classes to have minors in communication and human development. I never looked back. I received bachelor degrees in both and compiled a minor in peace and reconciliation studies because I wasn’t locked into something specific. Not many people can say they double majored/minor while playing a college sport; I credit that to the Foundations program.

Any updates on the BodyGuard fitness system since placing in the UMaine Business Challenge?
The BodyGuard is nearly complete and ready for the open market. After five different prototypes, a million meetings, and some prize money later, the BodyGuard is set to be completed by May 14. The final product is better than I expected, does more than I expected, and looks awesome; I can’t wait to start using it. I plan on being the Jared of Subway for the BodyGuard. I want create a college-priced diet plan so a majority of people can afford it. I also will create the workout routine and possibly a reality show type feel as I document my progression over the course of a month.

How has the Foster Center helped you throughout your time at UMaine?
The Foster Center is a hidden gem on this campus. Without the Foster Center, none of this would have ever happened. Both businesses would have remained cool ideas, and that is as far as they would have went. I have a deep love and respect for that facility and the faculty that run it. I could write a book about the connections, guidance, support and opportunities they have given me; you will just have to take my word for it. The Foster Center for Student Innovation is my favorite place on campus.

Have you worked closely with a professor or mentor who made your UMaine experience better?
I have many. Sandy Caron has been my adviser since sophomore year and my UMaine mother. Without her, I would have procrastinated my time away. She taught me a lot about my work ethic and drive to get things done. Robert Milardo, “Bob” said I didn’t belong in graduate school during my first year there. Needless to say, he was responsible for lighting a fire underneath me to do better. I email, talk and visit with Bob weekly. He is responsible for my determination to produce top-quality work. Jesse Moriarity at the Foster Center is the most connected person I know — period, end of story. She scheduled meetings with people I should have never had access to, persuaded me to get an office at the Innovation Center, compete in the Big Gig, and made me realize I could run my own business. Jesse is responsible for my confidence in the business world.

What difference has UMaine made in your life and in helping you reach your goals?
UMaine allowed me to turn my goals into a reality. We may not have a city full of bars and nightlife opportunities up here in Orono, but we have a community of people that will give you the shirt off their backs. This school made me focus on myself rather than where I was going out Thursday night. The people and community here taught me a lot.

What are your plans for after graduation?
Closing a Tip Whip technology license deal with UMaine for next fall. I will also be traveling around New England compiling other schools, as well. There is no reason why the Tip Whip shouldn’t be at a majority of New England colleges and universities. I will also be working on selling the rights to the BodyGuard to a [fitness] company.

Any final thoughts?
Treat people the way you want to be treated … or better. I also live by a couple quotes: “Keep it simple” — my family’s motto; “If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough” — Einstein; and “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take” — Wayne Gretzky.