The Marshall BOG yesterday approved a measure to "allow for the sale of beer and wine" throughout Joan C. Edwards Stadium at the start of the '17 football season, according to a front-page piece by Lacie Pierson of the Huntington HERALD-DISPATCH. Marshall AD Mike Hamrick told BOG members the expansion would be part of a plan to "enhance the fan experience at the stadium as well as generate revenue." Board members "voted 16-0 to approve the measure." Hamrick said that even though beer and wine sales will be "available throughout the stadium, parts of certain sections will be designated as non-alcoholic areas." He added that alcohol sales are "expected to generate $50,000 in revenue" in '17, based on projections from Marshall's food service provider, Sodexo. Hamrick said that Marshall will make a commission of about 45% on "alcohol sales in the stadium." Marshall athletics already receives a 30% commission on the "non-alcoholic concession sales at the stadium." Hamrick also said that fans still will be able to "leave and re-enter the stadium as long as they have their ticket stubs." Prior to the vote, only Big Green Scholarship Foundation members, those "sitting in the chairback sections in the west side of the stadium, could purchase and consume alcohol in the stadium" (Huntington HERALD-DISPATCH, 6/29).
ROLL OUT THE BARREL: Purdue announced that beer and wine starting this fall will be available for purchase throughout Ross-Ade Stadium and Mackey Arena, with the exception of the concourse area immediately adjacent to the respective student sections. RIVALS.com's Tom Campbell noted alcohol has been "sold in Ross-Ade's premium sections and suites" since '03, as well as at the "south end zone patio" since '15. It has been "available in club spaces" since '11 in Mackey Arena. Other athletics facilities at Purdue -- Alexander Field, Bittinger Stadium and Folk Field -- have "sold beer and wine" since as early as '14 (RIVALS.com, 6/28).
