Air Force this season will become the "first service academy to allow the sale of alcohol at football games, though the practice is common in the Mountain West," according to a front-page piece by Brent Briggeman of the Colorado Springs GAZETTE. Beer and wine will be "sold in two sections, with fans allowed to take the drinks back to their seats." The cash-only sales "will open 60 minutes prior to kickoff." There will be "no sales to cadets or anyone in a military uniform." Air Force AD Jim Knowlton said, "We started a fan-engagement committee two years ago, and one of the desired improvements was to offer alcohol in a controlled setting at games. We have worked hard with our teammates on base to ensure we have best practices in place to keep Falcon Stadium a family-friendly environment. We are confident we can do this responsibly and successfully and add to the fan experience." Briggeman notes the academy "permitted alcohol sales at two outdoor concerts last year -- Tim McGraw and Brad Paisley." The school said that "both were successful endeavors." The sales will be "handled by the academy’s 10th Force Support Squadron, which handles sales in other venues on base." An Air Force spokesperson said that "adding alcohol sales for basketball games at Clune Arena is also a possibility." With Air Force joining in, all four FBS programs in the state -- including Colorado, Colorado State and Northern Colorado -- "allow the sale of alcohol at football games." Four schools in the 12-team Mountain West do "not permit alcohol sales in their stadiums." San Jose State and Fresno State have said that they will "add alcohol sales next year, leaving only Boise State and Utah State without it" (Colorado Springs GAZETTE, 8/11).
