Because if there was one thing some WVU fans weren’t already, it was drunk enough.
After a reported “lengthy discussion”, West Virginia’s Board of Governors has approved the sale of beer during football games. The BOG voted 10-5 in favor of amending BOG Policy 18 (Section 4.1), which prohibits the sale of alcohol during WVU sporting events.
In an interview following the decision, WVU athletic director Oliver Luck said the beer will be sold in plastic cups away from the student section and fans will only be able to buy two beers per visit. Fans who appear to have “had enough” will not be served.
“By changing the re-entry procedure and smoking areas at the stadium, along with today’s change in policy, I believe we have taken a step forward toward our goal of a safer, friendlier and more civil game day experience,” Luck said in a statement released by WVU Sports Information.
The initial idea was proposed to WVU’s BOG in early April and a 30-day open comment period began shortly thereafter, ending in mid-May. The proposal to sell alcohol at games was, somewhat surprisingly, met with overwhelming opposition by fans.
At the time of the proposal Luck said the sale of beer, along with the elimination of halftime pass-outs, would, and I quote, “improve fan behavior”.
Luck also mentioned beer sales could provide around $500,000 in revenue for the program (that’s more like it).
Rutgers, who now is the only Big East football member not selling alcohol in some capacity during football games, has also begun tossing around the idea.