Univ. of Michigan AD Warde Manuel said the school has "no plans to sell beer and wine during sporting events in the foreseeable future," according to Aaron McMann of MLIVE.com. That means an alcohol ban "continues at the 107,601-seat Michigan Stadium, even as more college programs jump on the revenue-generating train." Manuel: "Off the board at this time. Everybody is looking at ways for the fan experience, for the culture of their universities, to adapt and adjust. We hear from fans, some of them would like if we sold beer in our facilities. It's a part of professional venues, that it's a part of their (experience). Culturally, it hasn't been here. And right now, it is not something that we're promoting, pushing, internally having conversations about." Manuel added, "We are aware of what others are doing. I'm aware of the way some of my colleagues within the Big Ten, and around the country, are doing this. The revenue that is being derived. But right now, it's not something that I've requested or made a push for our presidents and our board to consider at this time" (MLIVE.com, 8/24).
BAY WATCH: In San Jose, Mark Gomez notes a four-year ban on beer and wine sales at San Jose State home football games "has been lifted." Beer and wine will be "sold at concession stands throughout CEFCU Stadium" beginning Saturday. The Bay Area’s two other D-I college football programs, Stanford and Cal, do "not sell beer or wine during games." However, Stanford is "offering tickets for a 'Beerfest' at two of its home football games, which offers pregame tastings outside the stadium from several local breweries." Cal also was "considering selling alcohol at football and basketball games as a way to cut its massive budget deficit." However, new Cal Chancellor Carol Christ last week "responded to a question about the prospect of selling beer at football games as 'stupid'" (San Jose MERCURY NEWS, 8/25).
NO GEAUX ON THE BAYOU: In Baton Rouge, Sam Karlin noted LSU fans are "going to have to wait" for the "long-discussed beer garden in Tiger Stadium." The school has "shelved the concept until the end of the upcoming football season, which begins next Saturday." LSU Deputy AD Eddie Nunez said that the school "still hopes to move forward with a beer garden in the future, but that more dialogue was needed with SEC officials." LSU AD Joe Alleva for years has "floated the beer garden concept as a way to give more fans access to alcohol inside the stadium, partly to tamp down on binge drinking outside." The SEC "prohibits alcohol sales at the athletic events of its member schools, but the Tiger Athletic Foundation operates premium sections that are allowed to serve alcohol" (BUSINESSREPORT.com, 8/24).
