Byrd Stadium
Fans might be able to have a beer while watching the Terps play in Byrd Stadium and Xfinity Center this fall if the Prince George’s County Board of License Commissioners approves a university proposal submitted on June 1.
The university would transition to selling beer and eventually wine at athletic events, while observing the first year as a trial, according to an email university President Wallace Loh will send to the university community Thursday.
During this trial period, alcohol sales will be restricted to beer at Byrd Stadium for football and lacrosse games, and Xfinity Center for men’s and women’s basketball, said Joe Mullineaux, Dining Services senior associate director. Hawkers will not be going into the seating section selling alcohol and no alcohol will be served in the student seating area, Mullineaux said.
Officials planned this strategy to minimize the potential of underage drinking, Mullineaux said. Students who are age 21 or older might still walk to a concession stand outside of the student section, buy a beer and walk back.
“In year one, we are going to have some more stringent regulations,” Mullineaux said. “We are easing our way into this, and responsible service is our first and foremost responsibility and goal.”
A designated driver and cab program will be promoted to help keep those who drink alcohol at the games safe, according to the proposal.
“There are going to be some people who had a little too much to drink. They may not be passed out, but they shouldn’t be driving,” Loh said. “What we’re saying is we’ve already planned for that contingency. We’re realistic.”
Student Affairs Vice President Linda Clement would do an assessment at the end of the trial year to provide data to university officials so they can decide whether to continue selling alcohol at athletic events, according to the email.
Dining Services has about 300 employees trained to serve alcohol and hopes to raise that number to 500 by Aug. 1 with a summer training program, Mullineaux said.
About 85 percent of attendees at university athletic events are older than 21, and the net revenue from projected alcohol sales is estimated at about $500,000 per year, according to the email.
All revenue will support student services, such as mental health counseling, sexual assault prevention and responsible drinking programs, Loh said.
“I’m hopeful that this makes game day a little more safer, a little more controlled and generates some money for mental health funding,” Student Government Association President Patrick Ronk said.
During the trial period, only one beer will be sold per transaction, said Brian Ullmann, university marketing and communications assistant vice president. Alcohol sales will end when the event is three quarters completed, according to the proposal.
Although many groups, including the SGA, Graduate Student Government, University Police and Division of Student Affairs, endorsed the recommendation, most faculty and staff who responded to a survey were opposed, according to the email.
Loh said providing alcohol in a safe and regulated environment could help curb the binge drinking concerns from those opposed.
“There is no way you can prevent people from drinking or gaining access to it,” Loh said. “Rather than have this mentality ‘Let’s restrict alcohol, let’s not let young people have access,’ … Why not have a culture of moderate, responsible, safe drinking?”
