STATE COLLEGE (TNS) — Penn State took a step toward enacting its plan to sell alcohol at Beaver Stadium. The Board of Trustees’ Committee on Legal and Compliance approved the university’s plan Monday evening with six yes votes, one no from Donald Cairns and two absent committee members.
With the committee’s approval, the plan will move to a full board vote at the Sept. 23 meeting.
The key points of the plan the committee approved are:
— Wrist bands will track those who purchase alcohol.
— 300 staff members will be added for oversight, rule enforcement and operation of the sale of alcohol.
— Beer stations will be placed throughout Beaver Stadium to prioritize guest experience and discourage easy access to the student section.
— Sales will end at the conclusion of the third quarter of the game.
— Secret Shoppers will be used to ensure all sales are made properly.
Multiple sources previously told the Centre Daily Times that sales would expand to the Bryce Jordan Center if all goes well at Beaver Stadium.
Penn State athletic director Pat Kraft presented the plan to the committee, which included the reasoning for the decision. Kraft cited multiple universities — including West Virginia, Ohio State and Texas — that have seen a decrease in alcohol-related issues after the introduction of alcohol sales.
“I’ve spoken to my peers across the country,” Kraft said while presenting the plan. “This is the trend. The data shows this. There are more people in the building looking at alcohol-related issues when you are serving, beer, wine, etc.”
Kraft added that revenue from sales would go back into the building and said that they were ready to begin the plan after it’s approved, but added that he and his staff were not assuming approval would occur.
“We were not going to move forward at all, or if, you all want to move forward,” he said. “I will say this, this is not something you take lightly. … We stand ready. We have not invested in anything that we cannot and are not using. Candidly, whenever you say go we can go, and if not we’re good.”
Penn State would be the ninth school in the Big Ten to sell alcohol at sporting events.
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