Beer sales expanding for Bobcat games
Bottoms up, Bobcat fans. Ohio University plans to expand beer sales at Peden Stadium football games this season.
OU announced the change this week in response to feedback from customer surveys, joining other Ohio schools offering beer at games.
Beer won’t be sold on the stadium’s student side, although students can have beer at their seats. Students spoke in favor of at least having the option to drink, and some said they’re happy it will generate revenue for
the university and possibly increase game attendance.
“Beer and football are a combination that just go together at any level,” said senior Clay Johnson, 21, an accounting major and a Bobcat football fan.
“With so many great breweries in Athens, I think it’ll be a great combination,” Johnson said.
The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Liquor Control must approve a permit before the arrangement becomes final.
The season kicks off Sept. 2 with a 7 p.m. game against Hampton University.
The university decided to expand alcohol sales this season after three years of selling beer only in areas exclusive to university donors, spokeswoman Carly Leatherwood said.
The expanded sales will offer 16- ounce cans of Bud Light, Coors Light and Miller Lite for $ 7 and 16- ounce drafts from Jackie O’s Pub & Brewery in Athens for $ 8. Sales will be limited to two beers per transaction.
All profits will benefit the athletic department’s general fund, Leatherwood said.
Ohio University Athletic Director Tim Schaus said in a news release that the department’s “No. 1 priority will be safety and responsible consumption.” Campus police helped draft the plan to begin serving beer, he said.
An “alcohol-free zone” will be designated for fans who want to avoid alcohol during the game. Those seats are in section 110, rows 14- 27, in the northwest corner of the stadium, and can be requested when buying tickets at the ticket office.
Stadium usher Maggie Campbell, 19, a sophomore journalism major, said she’s mostly heard positive reactions from fans so far, mostly on social media.
“It’s a running joke that students only stay through the first half of the game, so maybe this will help,” Campbell said.
So might Ohio University’s announcement that it will no longer allow reentry during football games beginning this year.
Many universities across the state already offer beer at football games, including the four other Ohio schools in the Mid-American Conference — Akron, Bowling Green, Kent State, Miami and Toledo.
Ohio State University started serving beer stadium- wide last football season. Officials said sales topped $ 1.1 million for the season, and they reported few issues.
Still, some schools and advocacy groups, such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving, remain uneasy about alcohol being sold at university sporting events, where half or more of students are younger than 21 and therefore legally prohibited from drinking.
Along with unveiling its plans for beer sales and reentry prohibition at football games, Ohio University also announced it has installed a new video scoreboard and sound system at Peden Stadium for the coming season.