By Nick Thompson (Whetstone Staff Writer)

Wesley College junior Bobby Erhardt recalls many wild Wednesday nights at the Loockerman Exchange.

“Getting mashed up with my friends and speaking Egyptian to girls, that sounds about right,” he said. “Do you know how to speak Egyptian? Me either, but I somehow manage to do it.”

While not officially sponsored by the school, every Wednesday night Wesley students line up to party at Leone’s Loockerman Exchange at the corner of Loockerman Street and State Street.

When the bar changed owners in late 2008, it wasn’t long before Wesley students began patronizing the LEX.

Bartender Tim Ciancutti, who still works every Wednesday night, remembers how it became a Wesley tradition.

“We threw a ‘Recession Party’ in January or February of 2009,” he said. “We had 25-cent drinks and about 400 people showed up that night. I’m here Wednesday nights and after a while they all kinda blend together.”

Many students love going there on Wednesday nights.

“It’s fun to go out to Loockerman every now and then because, honestly, it’s one of the only places that people under the drinking age can go out and party,” said sophomore Jewel Coles. “The school has not had many parties since I’ve been here, and they are few and far between.”

Most Wednesdays draw a good crowd, but not every week lives up to the hype.

“For me, it’s only the first few weeks and the last week of the semester that Wednesday at the LEX really pops off,” said junior Timyra Bridgeford.

Others feel the same way.

“When everybody comes back from breaks, that’s when it’s packed and we go in there and dance it out,” said sophomore Josh Chelleh.

Some administrators see it as a social occasion.

“Going to the LEX gives students a chance to socialize,” said Wesley’s new Alcohol Education Coordinator, Caress Roach. “I know, of-age college kids are going to party, but I want them to make responsible decisions when drinking alcohol.”

Some fear the consequences of Wednesday drinking.

“Drinking during the week is a dangerous slope for students and it can seriously affect their grades,” said Director of Student Activities Sarah Smith.

Smith emphasized that the school is not associated with the LEX.

“It’s a business and it has to make money, but Wesley has no association with the LEX in any capacity,” she said.

But many students think it’s part of the deal.

“I think I’m your typical college student,” said sophomore Kevin Green. “ I go to class and do my homework, but I still go out and party. It’s part of the college experience.”

And it’s a memorable experience.

“Twenty years from now, I’ll still remember my party days and that’ll definitely include Wednesdays at Loockerman,” said sophomore Jon Petite. “Laughing on the walks home and kinda remembering it the next morning. That sums up the LEX to me.”