The NCAA bans sales and advertising of all alcohol in the venues of its championships. Venues are even required to cover up ads for beer and alcohol.
Outside the venue, especially the football venues, it's a much different story. Been to a Wisconsin Badgers football game lately? Tailgating, keg stands, frat parties and a general festive atmosphere that's all about the game day party.
Yet, walk into Camp Randall Stadium and try to buy a beer. You can't. Of course, you probably have your flask so you're set. But, give me a reason why beer shouldn't be sold inside the stadium?
According to the NCAA alcohol policy, "The NCAA does not control the regular season in any sport, nor does it run the postseason for the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. Individual schools and conferences oversee the regular season, including game operations, broadcasting and advertising. The postseason for Division I Football Bowl Subdivision is controlled by the Bowl Championship Series and individual bowl committees."
So, schools can serve alcohol if they want.
I didn't know schools had the option to sell beer during non championship events until I researched it. So, Wisconsin could sell beer at Camp Randall. Other schools do.
Want to drive revenue, UW? How about cut down on public drunkenness and hopefully better control under age drinking? I say sell beer at Camp Randall.
Logic just may presume that less pre-game binge drinking would happen because fans would know that they could now buy beer inside.
What do you think?
A life-long and passionate community leader and Milwaukeean, Jeff Sherman is a co-founder of OnMilwaukee.
He grew up in Wauwatosa and graduated from Marquette University, as a Warrior. He holds an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University, and is the founding president of Young Professionals of Milwaukee (YPM)/Fuel Milwaukee.
Early in his career, Sherman was one of youngest members of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, and currently is involved in numerous civic and community groups - including board positions at The Wisconsin Center District, Wisconsin Club and Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. He's honored to have been named to The Business Journal's "30 under 30" and Milwaukee Magazine's "35 under 35" lists.
He owns a condo in Downtown and lives in greater Milwaukee with his wife Stephanie, his son, Jake, and daughter Pierce. He's a political, music, sports and news junkie and thinks, for what it's worth, that all new movies should be released in theaters, on demand, online and on DVD simultaneously.
He also thinks you should read OnMilwaukee each and every day.
