University of Maryland to Sell Beer at School Football and Basketball Games

Heather Curtis
WMAL.com

WASHINGTON — (WMAL) Starting Saturday, University of Maryland football and basketball fans will be able to buy beer at games in Byrd Stadium as part of a one year pilot program. The program will be evaluated at the end of the year to see how it impacted alcohol consumption, the fan experience and alcohol related incidents.

At first University of Maryland Police Chief David Mitchell wasn’t in favor of selling beer at games.

“When I got into the research of some of our peer institutions, we saw that they successfully implemented a program like the one we’re implementing, and some of the problems that they had such as pre-gaming, intoxication and so fourth, actually were much less,” Mitchell said.

He added when people know they can buy beer at a game, they don’t drink as many cold ones while pre-gaming.

Director of Dining Services Joe Mullineaux said there will be safeguards to minimize problems. Fans won’t be able to buy beer after the end of the third quarter. Also, everyone getting a beer needs to be present and will be IDed, even if one person’s footing the bill for both beers. Beer will not be sold in student sections.

All profits will go toward responsible drinking education, diversity education and additional counseling resources for students.