Univ. Of Minnesota To Allow Alcohol Sales In New Stadium Suites
 |
Minnesota Regents Vote 10-2 To Allow Alcohol
Sales In TCF Bank Stadium Premium Seats |
The Univ. of Minnesota (UM) Board of Regents Friday voted 10-2 to allow alcohol sales "in premium, restricted seating of TCF Bank Stadium, among other venues," according to Jenna Ross of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE. A portion of the alumni base has argued that alcohol "should be allowed for all, or none at all." However, UM Regent David Metzen said not allowing alcohol in the stadium's suites could "put our ability to sell premium seats at risk." UM Regent Linda Cohen: "It would be naive to think we aren't competing with sales of suites with a lot of pro sports in the Twin Cities. It's important that we make a go of the TCF stadium." Ross reported the policy is similar to one in place at other Big Ten schools, including the Univ. of Iowa, the Univ. of Wisconsin and Michigan State Univ. UM Fans currently can drink alcohol at club seats at on-campus Mariucci Arena and Williams Arena, though UM News Service Dir Daniel Wolter said alcohol at those venues "can be served but not sold." UM VP & Chief of Staff Kathryn Brown said that because that policy "necessitates open bars, university officials expect that by allowing sales, the amount of drinking is 'more likely to decrease rather than increase.'" Ross noted students over 21 have been able to buy beer during games at the off-campus Metrodome. The NCAA "discourages schools from selling alcohol at games and has banned the sale of alcohol at championship games" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 12/13). Metzen said that the ruling will "help the university sell prime seating packages in a market that already had several stadiums." Metzen: "We gave our word that this would [create] cash-flow." Brown said that the "next step will be developing a policy on tailgating around the new stadium" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 12/13).
|
