Byrd Stadium

As the football team prepares for its first home game on Saturday, the University of Maryland is getting ready to sell beer at Byrd Stadium. 

The Prince George’s County Board of License Commissioners approved this university’s proposal in July, favoring the sale in a 3-1 vote. The College Park City Council voted 5-3 in support of the proposal.

READ MORE: What you need to know about beer sales at Maryland games

“When it was first proposed, we were a little unsure, but we’ve seen through a number of peer institutions that there have been far fewer problems after implementing beer sales at football games,” University Police Chief David Mitchell said. 

The plan is part of a one-year trial period allowing beer sales at Byrd Stadium and Xfinity Center during football and basketball games. 

“Alcohol is something that people abuse all the time at any university, so I think that people will still try to bring their own alcohol anyway,” said Lexi Levenson, a sophomore computer science major. “If they want to get drunk, this isn’t going to stop them from trying to do that.”

Customers 21 and older will be able to purchase one beer at a time — or more if each drinker presents an ID — until the end of the third quarter, and those who appear to be under age 40 will be asked to present their IDs, Mitchell said.

“We have trained those who are serving beer to know what to look for,” Mitchell said. “IDs will be checked very closely, and we are prepared to ask questions if there are any doubts.”

There will be more security at the football games than in previous years, Mitchell said. Control officers from Dining Services, University Police and board of license commissioners members and inspectors will be assigned in teams to ensure compliance with alcohol-safety laws, he said. 

“They convinced us that there was going to be more policing and that the games would be policed properly,” said Charles Caldwell III, board of license commissioners chairman.  “We’re giving them the opportunity to prove it.”

Mitchell said University Police would also continue its use of “mystery fans,” officers dressed as typical fans who observe crowd behavior and respond to complaints.

“It’s an extra measure of protection for us,” Mitchell said. “They’ll continue to keep a watchful eye to ensure that people have fun while behaving responsibly.”

Dining Services spokesman Bart Hipple said that, if successful, the sale of beer will positively impact the atmosphere of football games.

“I think that if it’s handled properly — and we’re doing everything we can to make sure that’s the case — that this could be a huge plus for Maryland fans,” Hipple said. “It would enhance the overall stadium experience and make fans happier to be in the stadium.”

Junior biology major De’Shaun Harris said the sale of alcohol will have a positive effect on this university.

“It will definitely add to the gameday atmosphere,” Harris said. “The alcohol won’t be served after a certain point in the game so that people are still able to drive home safely and no one will get too wild in the stadium. It’s a very smart initiative.”

The policies at the games will also help educate fans about drinking responsibly, said Joe Mullineaux, Dining Services senior associate director.

“We’re making a very serious effort to educate everybody about responsible drinking,” he said. “We’re doing this to enhance the fan experience in a safe manner.”

Mullineaux said the rules will be consistent with other policies at this university and that there will be a zero-tolerance policy for those who do not comply.

This university and the county will evaluate the success of the sales after the trial period expires to decide whether to continue selling alcohol in future years. 

“This is strictly a trial, and I wouldn’t prejudge it either way,” Caldwell said. “We’ll see how the university handles it.”