Alcohol at college sporting events

With the arrest of head football coach Gary Pinkel as inspiration, the Daily Tribune decided to take a look at the serving of alcohol at college sporting events.

David Briggs of the Tribune talks about how “tapping the keg” may need to be taken into account to raise revenue at games but Mizzou would be hesitant to make the move even if they were given the opportunity:

"“there is one line that Missouri will not — and, in the Southeastern Conference, cannot — cross: tapping the keg at college events.That once-sacred line is becoming blurred nationally as schools search for new sources of revenue. Beer is sold to the average fan at 20 of 120 major college stadiums — twice as many as a decade ago — with West Virginia the latest to cash in. Mountaineers Athletic Director Oliver Luck projects beer sales will generate $1 million this season.But Missouri officials do not envision serving suds anytime soon. Nor will they have a choice. The SEC, unlike the Big 12, bans beer sales in nonpremium seating areas.”"

Personally, I think the ban on alcohol at college sporting events is ridiculous. A few weeks ago my dad came into town for the Oklahoma State game and the lack of beer at the concession stands was one of the first things he noticed. “This game would be a whole lot better if I had an ice cold beer” proceeded to come out of his mouth several times after his discovery.

Beer and football go hand and hand. Putting beer in the hands of game watchers could put a considerable amount of money back into the school’s athletic program. I know there are major concerns about monitoring the consumption of alcohol at games but there are several ways to go about doing that: Wrist bands for attendees 21 and up who plan on drinking, limiting alcohol to one beverage per transaction, and cutting off sales after half time to name a few. There are ways of solving the problems that the university is concerned about.

Lets be honest here, we all know that students come to games intoxicated anyways. I personally think the focus we are putting on not having alcohol at games needs to be directed more towards safe tailgating instead. Serving alcohol at games could even potentially lend a hand to that issue.