Alumna Serving Lattes and Lineups

A downtown Kent coffee shop co-founded by a Kent State alumna serves up a fresh blend of coffee and sports

The scent of freshly brewed coffee fills the air while voices from the NFL Network play on the televisions in the background. Sports memorabilia and artwork cover every wall. It’s a sports lover’s haven. This is State Champs Coffee, downtown Kent’s new sports coffee shop and streetwear brand.

Kent State University alumna, Cassy Kopp, '16, co-founded State Champs with friend Ally Eclarin after meeting through social media and bonding over their love for Saturday Night Live and women’s sports.  

Ally Eclarin (left) and Cassy Kopp (right) 2- Photo by Ally Eclarin and Cassy Kopp
Ally Eclarin (left) and Cassy Kopp (right)

Kopp graduated from Kent State in 2016 with a bachelor's degree in political science and a minor in psychology. After graduating, Kopp worked in brick-and-mortar retail stores for years. She wondered if it could serve as a steppingstone to getting into politics. But after seven-plus years of management, the desire to own and operate her own shop took hold.  

Eclarin, a California native, studied graphic design at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles, working at various startups, eventually moving to Ohio.  

The idea of creating a sports coffee shop stemmed from an idea Eclarin developed while working part-time as a barista during college.  

“She always had this idea for a coffee shop,” Kopp shared with Kent State Today, “and we kind of talked about blending sports and coffee together and then State Champs was born.”  

Kopp said she applies her political science background from Kent State to the business side of the shop.

“It’s knowing how to position yourself in front of community members but also business owners and leaders in the sports community,” Kopp said.

State Champs is not only a coffee shop, but also a streetwear brand. The co-founders said they wanted to create a streetwear brand that was different from how big companies typically approach merchandise.

“Sports is one of those niches that people don’t always want to wear jerseys,” Eclarin said. “Maybe I want to wear something under a blazer because I am going to a cool work event, but a jersey and a blazer doesn’t quite fit.”

Eclarin and Kopp felt that Ohio would be an ideal location for the shop because of the love they both share for Kent.  

“Our first location being in Kent was both a business decision to get our sea legs,” Eclarin said, “proof of concept, while also loving this town and having the connection to Kent State and all that goes with it. We wanted to bring it to a college town because this concept has to work in a place where sports matter.”

State Champs Coffee counter

Kent State’s history with women’s sports resonated deeply with the State Champs co-founders.

Ally Eclarin (left) and Cassy Kopp (right) - Photo by Nya Booker
Ally Eclarin (left) and Cassy Kopp (right) - Photo by Nya Booker

“Kent State has a really strong connection to women’s sports,” Eclarin said. “They’ve done a lot to bring women’s sports to the collegiate level.”

State Champs stays connected to Kent State in numerous ways, including being a Kent State community connect partner and providing benefits for the Kent community. And they’re putting their money where their mouths are.

“We definitely want to call to action women’s sports. So, if you bring in your ticket from one of the games, we’ll give you half off your drink, just so people get excited to go [to the game] and then come here after,” Kopp said.  

State Champs places an emphasis on giving back, whether that is through their streetwear brand collaborations or donating to organizations like the Trevor Project and Athlete Ally.  

“We’re not performative in anything that we do. We have a ‘why’ and substance behind all of it,” Eclarin said.  

Looking ahead to the future, State Champs plans to open more locations as well as a facility that would further blend sports and coffee, all while continuing to grow the brand.  

“We’ve had multiple cities reach out to bring State Champs there,” Eclarin said, “Kent’s first but not last.”

Learn more about State Champs.

POSTED: Tuesday, September 17, 2024 11:04 AM
Updated: Wednesday, September 18, 2024 09:14 AM
WRITTEN BY:
Camille Duber, Flash Communications
PHOTO CREDIT:
Camille Duber