Blue White Illustrated

Alcohol sales are another sign of the times C hange is natural and necessary in all facets of life for a multitude of rea- sons, and the world of college athlet- ics is no different. However, I never envisioned the day when alcohol would be sold and served inside Beaver Sta- dium but smoking would be banned. Smoking went through a revolutionary cultural upheaval in America that in- cluded the ways in which it intersected with sports. That change had a morally sound foundation based on health, and even this one-time thrice-daily cigar smoker understood and applauded. Yes, the intolerant anti-smoking zealots often go too far with their repres- sive rules and regulations. Still, it's been a much more pleasurable experience sit- ting in Beaver Stadium in the past couple of decades without clouds of errant smoke drifting constantly into one's nostrils and lungs. Smokers can still light up in the parking lots while tailgating – but who knows for how long. Which brings me to the new policy of allowing alcohol sales in Beaver Stadium and five other athletic venues: the Bryce Jordan Center, Pegula Ice Arena, Rec Hall, Penn State golf courses and Lubrano Park. Under the athletic department's guide- lines, alcohol sales will be restricted to the suites and private clubs in each facility. I have my doubts. It's only a matter of time before beer, wine and liquor will be sold throughout the public areas of Beaver Stadium and many of Penn State's other athletic playing fields, indoors and outdoors. I'm not questioning the intentions of the Penn State administrators who de- vised the new restrictive policy or the president and trustees who approved it. Alcohol sales are a financial bonanza, especially for an exclusive entity with no competition. Profits will run into mil- lions of dollars annually, and some of the money is expected to be distributed to sectors of the university outside the ath- letic department. Money will change that policy. It usu- ally does. A perfect example is Big Ten rival Ohio State, which began selling beer in the private suites and club levels of Ohio Stadium last year. This season the policy changed and alcohol sales will be avail- able nearly everywhere in the stadium. Ohio State, like West Virginia, which has sold alcohol in Mountaineer Sta- dium since 2011, already has the reputa- tion of being unkind and sometimes intimidating to visiting fans. Just ask the hundreds of Penn State fans who used to travel to Morgantown for games and now have given up going to Columbus. Alcohol inside the Horseshoe is only going to intensify the antagonism. Ohio State is one of at least two dozen major colleges that are selling alcohol at on-campus football stadiums, and the list, which includes fellow Big Ten teams Minnesota and Maryland, keeps increas- ing. Minnesota began selling beer and wine in two specific areas in 2012, and according to the Minneapolis Star-Tri- bune lost nearly $16,000 on the venture. A major reason: not enough outlets. A year later, Minnesota expanded the sales to the concessions stands throughout TCF Bank Stadium while also extending the sales hours. The result: a nifty profit. In 2015 Maryland began a one-year trial during which it sold beer at both its bas- ketball arena and Byrd Stadium. A deci- sion is expected soon on continuing the sales and possible expansion of the pol- icy. At several schools, such as West Vir- ginia, the choices are often limited to beer (or a combination of beer and wine) at the public concession stands, with no vendors in the seating areas. Hard liquor is not so readily available at college stadiums, except in the private suites and clubs. However, I'm skeptical that it will continue to be excluded as the years go by. The money is too tempting. Sure, there are rules in place aimed at deterring overconsumption and sales to minors. However, no matter what offi- cials and police do, the game day atmos- phere will change dramatically and not pleasantly. Just look at the NFL. The en- vironment in and around NFL stadiums is more rowdy and hostile. Fans of op- posing teams are often treated like an enemy at war. That NFL-style belligerence has al- ready crept into the game day experi- ence at the college level. Fans have become more edgy and often malicious. As I wrote in the January 2015 issue of Blue White Illustrated, more and more contentious incidents are occurring everywhere in college stadiums, and Beaver Stadium has had its share. What also concerns me about alcohol sales at college athletic events is the message this policy sends to the stu- dents and the communities that serve the colleges and universities located there. Student drinking has been a problem since the creation of postsec- ondary education, and colleges located in rural areas far from big cities, like Penn State, have exponential trouble. Student drinking, whether the person is of age or not, has been a target of Penn State administrators for years. Over the years, officials have discussed the prohi- bition of alcohol in all of the tailgating areas, but that idea has never been con- sidered practical at Beaver Stadium. Some colleges have done that, and I know at least one Division II school – Indiana University of Pennsylvania in my hometown – that has gone a step further. Years ago, IUP banned all game day tailgating on campus. Officials at many of the colleges selling alcohol assert that their policy has actu- ally curbed overall alcohol consumption

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