Beer at the stadium!

[ZachTheZip]

This article was published on the day of the stadium opener. Coincidence?

"Concessions generate about $6 per fan when beer is included." "The city of Memphis expects beer sales in the stadium will net roughly $200,000 a year for the city."

That's a lot of money to be throwing away. The university needs to stop pretending to be morally against beer on campus and just acknowledge that money is king in college football. $200k is no small matter. We don't even get that much to play at places like Indiana or Syracuse ($150k each).

[GP1]

That's a lot of money to be throwing away. The university needs to stop pretending to be morally against beer on campus and just acknowledge that money is king in college football.

I'm not against beer in stadiums on a moral level. Hell, I love to get drunk and did so last night. Intellectually, I am against it. CK mentioned it was not a problem 60 years ago when he was in school.......OK, it was probably less than 30. Anyhow, even 30 years ago, our society was much more civil.

I'm also against beer as a marketing tool. Winning is actually king in college football and winning would get people to games.

Sell football to a recruit based upon a new stadium and you get a kid who comes to school to play in a new stadium. Not to win.

Sell fans cheap tickets, and they will buy because of cheap tickets and expect cheap tickets in the future.

Sell fans a beer based gameday, and you will get drunks at the games making problems more likely and making a lot of people who want to responsibly enjoy a game uncomfortable. Don't market to drunks.

If the Zips win and can generate 3,333.33 more fans per game in a six game home season at $10 per GA ticket, they make up the $200,000 net the story refers to. That fan total is roughly 14% of what the stadium holds. Let's try winning first. Selling beer will be a sign of panic.

[RootforRoo44]

If the Zips win and can generate 3,333.33 more fans per game in a six game home season at $10 per GA ticket, they make up the $200,000 net the story refers to. That fan total is roughly 14% of what the stadium holds. Let's try winning first. Selling beer will be a sign of panic.

Well if they win and serve beer they get $400,000 then. We could have both. I honestly dont think beer creates chaos or whatever your implying.

Let's just stop living in a fantasy world and stop pretending that money isn't important and sell some damn beer at the stadium. And i want it cheap like at K-SUcks big Dix Stadium.

[GP1]

I honestly dont think beer creates chaos or whatever your implying.

I'm not saying it creates chaos. I'm saying it creates a situation where a handful of drunks can create a public relations problem for the University.

The ABJ paints every problem that happens in the sports programs as "the program is out of control". If one innocent person is hurt at a game by a drunk, the ABJ headline will read: "Zips Fan Hurt At Game: InfoCision Stadium Unsafe". Terry Pluto will have a story titled: "My Dad Was Right, Beer Shouldn't Be Served at Games".

Every decision the AD makes should be made with the assumption the football program will be good and people will come to games to watch good football because it is entertaining. Serving beer at the stadium to generate lost revenue is making the assumption the football team will be bad.

The only reason beer works so well at Can't is there is nobody at the games to get drunk and cause a problem.

I'm all for getting drunk. Let's try getting good before we get drunk.

[UAZipster0305]

I honestly dont think beer creates chaos or whatever your implying.

I'm not saying it creates chaos. I'm saying it creates a situation where a handful of drunks can create a public relations problem for the University.

The ABJ paints every problem that happens in the sports programs as "the program is out of control". If one innocent person is hurt at a game by a drunk, the ABJ headline will read: "Zips Fan Hurt At Game: InfoCision Stadium Unsafe". Terry Pluto will have a story titled: "My Dad Was Right, Beer Shouldn't Be Served at Games".

Every decision the AD makes should be made with the assumption the football program will be good and people will come to games to watch good football because it is entertaining. Serving beer at the stadium to generate lost revenue is making the assumption the football team will be bad.

The only reason beer works so well at Can't is there is nobody at the games to get drunk and cause a problem.

I'm all for getting drunk. Let's try getting good before we get drunk.

Win or lose, $200-400k is still $200-400k. I would hope that with the reality of running a Department of Athletics that is always in the red and the financial burden on the students that within reason the AD would utilize all resources to maximize revenue. I believe selling beer at the stadium is within reason even though the decision is up to the Board of Trustees and not the AD directly.

[xu9697]

Probably is, beer IS already sold. They went about it in the WORST way: offering it to some and not others. Taking the elitist approach was just ridiculous.

[g-mann17]

Probably is, beer IS already sold. They went about it in the WORST way: offering it to some and not others. Taking the elitist approach was just ridiculous.

Understand something at the Rubber Bowl there was the president's suite (if you want to call it that) and he could have some guests. They had hard liquor up there. Why? Because those people expect it.

The people who have made huge commitments to this program (millions of dollars) expect certain things, catering, alcohol, etc. You see it as elitist why? I see it as kissing the butts of people who made the whole thing possible. You want continued growth, you have to wine and dine people. Because the facility was on campus they had to specifically allow it, because they are a public university the information has to be made available. Otherwise, they would be doing it and you wouldn't even know about it.

Everyone is complaining about alcohol in the suites and no beer in the stands but I haven't seen anyone complain about how they get Lobster and Shrimp and Cavier and we get nachos, stale Papa Johns, and Chic-fil-a. You want a beer, drink before the game like at every other university in the country.

[Jake]

Probably is, beer IS already sold. They went about it in the WORST way: offering it to some and not others. Taking the elitist approach was just ridiculous.

Understand something at the Rubber Bowl there was the president's suite (if you want to call it that) and he could have some guests. They had hard liquor up there. Why? Because those people expect it.

The people who have made huge commitments to this program (millions of dollars) expect certain things, catering, alcohol, etc. You see it as elitist why? I see it as kissing the butts of people who made the whole thing possible. You want continued growth, you have to wine and dine people. Because the facility was on campus they had to specifically allow it, because they are a public university the information has to be made available. Otherwise, they would be doing it and you wouldn't even know about it.

Everyone is complaining about alcohol in the suites and no beer in the stands but I haven't seen anyone complain about how they get Lobster and Shrimp and Cavier and we get nachos, stale Papa Johns, and Chic-fil-a. You want a beer, drink before the game like at every other university in the country.

It's funny. The rank and file can't drink beer at the campus stadium but they can drink beer and hard liquor at the campus performing arts hall.

[g-mann17]

Probably is, beer IS already sold. They went about it in the WORST way: offering it to some and not others. Taking the elitist approach was just ridiculous.

Understand something at the Rubber Bowl there was the president's suite (if you want to call it that) and he could have some guests. They had hard liquor up there. Why? Because those people expect it.

The people who have made huge commitments to this program (millions of dollars) expect certain things, catering, alcohol, etc. You see it as elitist why? I see it as kissing the butts of people who made the whole thing possible. You want continued growth, you have to wine and dine people. Because the facility was on campus they had to specifically allow it, because they are a public university the information has to be made available. Otherwise, they would be doing it and you wouldn't even know about it.

Everyone is complaining about alcohol in the suites and no beer in the stands but I haven't seen anyone complain about how they get Lobster and Shrimp and Cavier and we get nachos, stale Papa Johns, and Chic-fil-a. You want a beer, drink before the game like at every other university in the country.

It's funny. The rank and file can't drink beer at the campus stadium but they can drink beer and hard liquor at the campus performing arts hall.

At what EJ event did you have a beer or hard liquor during a show? They allow prior to the show in the lobby, and during intermission. It's much more controlled then the scenario would be at Infocision. You're talking 3000 people vs. 30000, and for the most part it's understood that tailgaters are already drinking. And it's for 3 quarters of the game. Vs. 30 minutes before the show and 30 minutes of intermission the at EJ.

[Jake]

Probably is, beer IS already sold. They went about it in the WORST way: offering it to some and not others. Taking the elitist approach was just ridiculous.

Understand something at the Rubber Bowl there was the president's suite (if you want to call it that) and he could have some guests. They had hard liquor up there. Why? Because those people expect it.

The people who have made huge commitments to this program (millions of dollars) expect certain things, catering, alcohol, etc. You see it as elitist why? I see it as kissing the butts of people who made the whole thing possible. You want continued growth, you have to wine and dine people. Because the facility was on campus they had to specifically allow it, because they are a public university the information has to be made available. Otherwise, they would be doing it and you wouldn't even know about it.

Everyone is complaining about alcohol in the suites and no beer in the stands but I haven't seen anyone complain about how they get Lobster and Shrimp and Cavier and we get nachos, stale Papa Johns, and Chic-fil-a. You want a beer, drink before the game like at every other university in the country.

It's funny. The rank and file can't drink beer at the campus stadium but they can drink beer and hard liquor at the campus performing arts hall.

At what EJ event did you have a beer or hard liquor during a show? They allow prior to the show in the lobby, and during intermission. It's much more controlled then the scenario would be at Infocision. You're talking 3000 people vs. 30000, and for the most part it's understood that tailgaters are already drinking. And it's for 3 quarters of the game. Vs. 30 minutes before the show and 30 minutes of intermission the at EJ.

At every show I've been to... Nora Jones, Lisa Lampanelli, Tran-Siberian Orchestra, Steely Dan and more and it is not just before the show and at intermission. It is during the shows as well. The beer is served in plastic bottles and the concession staff told us, "go ahead and take them into the show. The Univeristy has approved beer and hard liquor to be enjoyed during the concert as well. That's why the bottlles are made of plastic." Basically, you have 2 to 3 hours to enjoy liquor at UA's E.J when you count the time (an hour) before the show, (60 - 90 minutes) during the show, and (20 - 30 minutes) at intermission. If the distinction is due to the size of the venue, then that argument only becomes credible when it is presented by an official from the university and not from random specualtion.

Quite frankly, we can go on and on and navel gaze and hair split over the differences between any two sub-venues on campus (size, structure, design, continental seating vs. traditional seating, outdoor vs. indoor, culture vs. sports and blah blah blah) The bottom line is that the university has taken on the responsibility of handling many different programs, facilities and sub-venues and is equipped to handle the usual amenities that come with that responsibility. Serving booze is just one of them. If they can handle booze at EJ, then they can handle booze at Info just as they can make the necessary adjustments to handle the different levels of crowd control at the two venues. It's a part of reality and the expected and reasonable baggage that comes with running a university of our size and stature. Its time we stop thinking small potatoes. Making adjustments in handling the many different sub-venues and types of programming UA holds in order to accomodate patrons is just a part of the package. Let's face it, beer and sports go hand-in-hand and that's just the way it is. If you can't stand the heat, then get out of the kitchen!

[Lee Adams]

If we really want to get students and casual football fans in the stadium, I think we should serve alcohol in all sections of the facility. It would create the rowdy atmosphere that is college football. It's not like we have to card 80,000 fans like the major schools. We are talking about 20 - 30k fans. Just card 'em. The students are going to find ways to drink anyway. They'll either sneak it in or get hammered before the game. We need to use any means to get fans at games.

20-30k??? no crowds that big..its sad that the team's performance

can't bring in fans...LIABILITY is an issue

[ZachTheZip]

Beer sold in regular concession stands would be great if we ever actually had a concert there.

[Lee Adams]

http://www.ohio.com/news/top_stories/24055...age=all&c=y

Buried halfway through this article is some major news: there will be alchoholic drinks served at Infocision Stadium.

Luxury suites, loges and club seats all offer access to the pre-game buffet, cash bar — so far, the only site at the stadium where liquor will be served — and upscale concessions in an enclosed area.

This opens the door for beer to be sold throughout the stadium, and possibly a student bar somewhere on campus eventually. It also means that there is a possibility of having a restaraunt there that serves alchohol (Winking Lizard in the north endzone, anyone?).

can't believe the LIZ isn't in the area already...

[Lee Adams]

I'm pretty sure the NCAA prohibits the sale of alcohol at all athletic contests that are held on campus. But alcohol sales are permtitted in suites and loges.

I think the decision on alcohol sales is ultimately up to the conference, after the individual school. I know a guy from Georgia who says the SEC has a ban on alcohol sales at all athletic events, which is mind boggling to me. Football and beer, what a great marriage.

As I posted earlier. The NCAA has no such band. It's up to the conferences and schools. While the SEC ban is true. I do believe that alcohol is available in the suites or loges. I know there were no alcohol concession sales in the Georgia Dome for the SEC championship due to SEC rules. But, I've seen drinks flowing in the suites.

buy a suite and invite us...

[ZZZips]

The UA Board of Trustees, the President and the Athletic Director need to revisit their error in declining to serve beer at the Infocision Stadium concession stands. I would also suggest that it is time to add the beverage to all of the unviersity sports venue concession stands. Bowling Green has added the beverage. Cleveland state has sold it at their basketball games. This article below shows the false fears that leads UA to turn down a large revenue stream.

http://dailymail.com/Sports/WVUSports/201111300228

[xu9697]

Amen!

[tbozeglav]

It'd certainly make watching the football team easier. Still baffled at how the university is choosing to lose out on all that cash they could make. Then again, with our attendance numbers, I dont think theyd be generating very much at all.