2008 Woodie Awards
Beer sales may attract more fans
Mike Zoller
Issue date: 9/7/07 Section: Sports
Believe it or not, Yager Stadium is missing something besides thousands of screaming Miami University students on game day.
And it is my belief that if Miami could add this one missing item to Yager the stadium wouldn't be so empty.
So what is this single mysterious object that would fill a stadium and increase RedHawk support?
Forgive me, Task Force on Alcohol Abuse Prevention, for saying this, but Yager is missing beer.
A mainstay at just about every professional sporting event, beer is notably absent from Yager, as well as just about 100 percent of other collegiate sporting events.
While big football bowl games and those games played at off-site stadiums offer beer, stadiums located on-campus are unable to serve beer to fans, whether they be students or adults.
While I understand that some college students don't know when to stop and that extreme alcohol consumption is a problem at just about every college in America, there are ways that we could make beer at college sporting events work.
Beer sales at Yager would need to be regulated, and regulated hard. Put more police in the stands and watch for underage drinking. Make an example of upperclassmen that break the law by buying for underage students. I'm in no way condoning underage drinking; I would like to make that very clear before you start flooding my e-mail with hate mail.
There are definitely cons for serving beer at Yager, however, I think there are some pros as well.
First off, Miami likes money.
I think we all know this based on parking tickets going up $10 this year and the sophomore housing initiative that will conveniently keep students on campus for a second year.
If Miami served beer at Yager, for lets say $6 or $7 a bottle, perhaps it would just be enough money to allow the parking ticket ladies who patrol Miami's lots 24/7 to finally be a little lenient and for once maybe leave my car alone in the Shriver lot.
But seriously, that extra money would also be good for the upcoming projects Miami has planned around campus. The Athletic Department has plans for new buildings near Yager and the university is currently working on creating a new student union. The money made from beer sales would really get these projects off the ground quickly.
And it is my belief that if Miami could add this one missing item to Yager the stadium wouldn't be so empty.
So what is this single mysterious object that would fill a stadium and increase RedHawk support?
Forgive me, Task Force on Alcohol Abuse Prevention, for saying this, but Yager is missing beer.
A mainstay at just about every professional sporting event, beer is notably absent from Yager, as well as just about 100 percent of other collegiate sporting events.
While big football bowl games and those games played at off-site stadiums offer beer, stadiums located on-campus are unable to serve beer to fans, whether they be students or adults.
While I understand that some college students don't know when to stop and that extreme alcohol consumption is a problem at just about every college in America, there are ways that we could make beer at college sporting events work.
Beer sales at Yager would need to be regulated, and regulated hard. Put more police in the stands and watch for underage drinking. Make an example of upperclassmen that break the law by buying for underage students. I'm in no way condoning underage drinking; I would like to make that very clear before you start flooding my e-mail with hate mail.
There are definitely cons for serving beer at Yager, however, I think there are some pros as well.
First off, Miami likes money.
I think we all know this based on parking tickets going up $10 this year and the sophomore housing initiative that will conveniently keep students on campus for a second year.
If Miami served beer at Yager, for lets say $6 or $7 a bottle, perhaps it would just be enough money to allow the parking ticket ladies who patrol Miami's lots 24/7 to finally be a little lenient and for once maybe leave my car alone in the Shriver lot.
But seriously, that extra money would also be good for the upcoming projects Miami has planned around campus. The Athletic Department has plans for new buildings near Yager and the university is currently working on creating a new student union. The money made from beer sales would really get these projects off the ground quickly.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 13
Will Turner
posted 9/07/07 @ 2:22 AM EST
This is probably the worst/dumbest article i have read in my entire life. Guess what? Its illegal to buy beer in every college football stadium except i believe in colorado. (Continued…)
Les Houser
posted 9/07/07 @ 6:52 AM EST
It is pretty obvious that Mr. Zoller doesn't read the police beat in his own paper, or he would come to the conclusion of the drinking problem that exists at Miami. (Continued…)
Roger
posted 9/07/07 @ 8:35 AM EST
LOL... Illegal to sell beer at college football stadiums? Not so my friend. There are several college football stadiums that sell it around the country including Kent State's Dix Stadium. (Continued…)
Josh
posted 9/07/07 @ 9:01 AM EST
I don't understand the criticism of the article. Is beer at Yager a good idea? That is debateable, but it doesn't make the premise ridiculous.
Is there a drinking problem at Miami? Perhaps, but no worse than most college campuses around the country (and I say this as someone who does not drink). (Continued…)
Zach
posted 9/07/07 @ 10:32 AM EST
One of the things that any sports fan looks forward to is drinking at a sporting event. It makes the experience more fun. Plus if it fills the stands and gets those OSU fans all over Miami away from their stupid Buckeyes game to watch the school they actually go to, then I'm all for it. (Continued…)
Steve
posted 9/07/07 @ 1:55 PM EST
You're an idiot.
Kelby
posted 9/07/07 @ 2:05 PM EST
So you're basically saying that alcohol solves all problems. Sounds like you have a problem yourself.
Maybe if Miami football was fun and exciting to go watch, there would be the atmosphere you desire whether people were drunk or sober. (Continued…)
Joe
posted 10/20/07 @ 8:45 AM EST
Fuck this. Miami is a legit school but the football consistency is just not there. Alcohol cannot be sold in most stadiums because of all of the potential problems with car accidents and fights. (Continued…)
John Kramp
John
posted 10/22/07 @ 4:51 PM EST
I am supposed to give a speech soon about why Miami should allow alcohol, both at the tailgate and at the game, and I wondered if anyone had suggestions about what my main topics should be. (Continued…)
Mike Dambrowski
posted 10/22/07 @ 6:54 PM EST
Zoller,
Your article blows. If you really want to drink while watching football at Yaeger, then man up and bring a flask with you. And if you want students to back you, then be more convincing when using The Student as a platform. (Continued…)
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