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Engines roared as they climbed the ramps of the Delaware parking garage on campus last week to be part of a car meetup called Cars Under the Stars.

Members of the UTampa community, including students and alumni, had come to show off their automobiles and socialize with other car enthusiasts. As the bright orange sun set behind the clouds, Mercedes, BMWs, Toyotas, Honda motorcycles and even a Lamborghini lined the upper decks of the garage, some with hoods up.  

The event was the last of the semester for the Drive UTampa club. The meetups are popular — one event this semester had around 300 cars, filling three decks of garage from the sixth floor down.

Chase Dolphin, a junior studying management information systems, got involved with the club because he was looking to make friends. After seeing a flyer, he attended an event, met people he liked, and he was hooked. He says that beyond the social aspect, there is also a networking benefit to being part of the club, especially for younger students. 

“So I have freshman coming in, and they’ll see somebody who’s successful, with a nicer car, and they’ll ask questions about it,” said Dolphin.

But it’s not all about admiring the Audis or learning the secrets to others’ successes. 

Last October, Drive UTampa was part of a larger event at the Children’s Cancer Center in Tampa, the Halloween Bash, where students and alumni brought candy or a toy and participated in a decorated trunk-or-treat.

“It’s a really great time because we make sure it's in a really respectful manner,” said Dolphin. “The students and alumni who join us ... you'll have these guys talking to the kids and helping them out and letting them sit in the driver's seat.” 

The club also has partnered with local small businesses, bringing patrons to their shops in exchange for space in the parking lot.

When selecting companies to work with, Drive UTampa makes sure there is a mutual benefit. Recently, the club had a car meet at Bubba’s 33, and the restaurant gave the club members discount cards to pass on to people who attended the car meet. 

“For businesses to welcome us with open arms and say, ‘Hey, look, we understand what you’re doing, and we understand the importance of this kind of marketing,’ it’s a big opportunity, and we’re honored to be able to work with them,” said Dolphin.

One alum roaming Cars Under the Stars last week was Tyler Parrish ’18, who had never been to a Drive UTampa event before and came to meet with friends. 

“The fact that they’re bringing in a lot of people, non-students and people like alumni back to the University, is a refreshing and cool thing to see happen,” he said. 

Meetups take place about once per month during the academic year and are posted on Drive UTampa’s social media accounts.