Oklahoma State officials "are monitoring" beer sales at Texas football games and other universities "where beer is sold in-stadium, and plan to discuss the possibility of beer sales at Boone Pickens Stadium following this season," according to John Helsley of the OKLAHOMAN. The sale of beer at Texas, an athletic department "seen as a trend-setter, seems to be sparking interest." OSU Dir of Communications Gary Shutt said the school "will study safety and security issues, alcohol-related arrests, and potential beer sales revenue." Helsley notes alcohol consumption "is currently allowed in the suite and club levels at OSU." Fans are "allowed to bring alcohol to the suites, while Cowboy Dining -- the concessionaire for the stadium -- sells alcohol in the club area" (OKLAHOMAN, 10/1). In Shreveport, Kevin Connelly noted prior to '08, only six FBS schools "sold beer at their home games," but that number "has grown to 23 and counting." Louisiana-Lafayette "was one of the first to start" in '09, and the school "reported a net profit of more than $775,000 derived from alcohol sales at home games in the first five years." It accounted for nearly 60% of the school's $1.3M "total revenue from all concession sales in those five years." In '08, the year prior to introducing alcohol at home games, ULL "reported a net revenue of $205,345 from all concession sales." Three years later, it made $336,851. Meanwhile, Louisiana-Monroe AD Brian Wickstrom said that revenue from concession sales "is approaching six figures." Before ULM started selling beer, it was "bringing in one-fourth" of what it is now. Wickstrom: "I think (selling alcohol) is going to be common pretty soon. It’s one source of revenue schools haven’t tapped into, and with the rising cost of college athletics, it’s something that can really be of benefit" (SHREVEPORT TIMES, 9/30).
TEST RUN: Eastern Michigan Assistant AD/Media Relations Greg Steiner said that the school's one-game test of beer sales at Rynearson Stadium last Saturday was "a success, even though it lost about $3,000." Steiner told student newspaper the Eastern Echo that EMU "paid just $878 for the beer but incurred costs of about $7,000 for things such as extra security." Beer sales grossed "about $4,000" (FREEP.com, 9/29).
