South Carolina updates alcohol policy for school’s sports programs
By Keith Farner
Published:
South Carolina’s Board of Trustees at a meeting on Tuesday approved a request to sell beer and wine at football, basketball and baseball games as soon as Jan. 1.
Athletics director Ray Tanner confirmed the details, which means the first event could be the South Carolina-Kentucky women’s basketball game on Jan. 2.
“We would begin with men’s and women’s basketball, segue into baseball, then into football,” Tanner said, according to the Charleston Post & Courier. “Those are the three venues that we have focused on at this time, (although) all of our athletic venues (could be converted) at a later point.”
The Gamecocks are the eighth SEC school to make such a move since the SEC rescinded its ban on serving alcohol in public areas of arenas in May. The other schools are Arkansas, LSU, Ole Miss, Missouri, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Vanderbilt that allow alcohol sales at football games.
Tanner is not sure about the revenue, but knows the potential is in the millions based on what other programs have already brought in.
“Will it be seven figures? You would hope it could be. But I’m not sure it will be,” Tanner said. “We don’t know exactly what basketball brings, or baseball, and again, football, the success of your program and when you play, how the weather is. It’s very difficult to pinpoint. We’ll have to go through a season to get a good feel for where we are.”
South Carolina expects to make 50 percent of each beer poured, with more money available due to sponsorships.
The school’s research of other school’s experience with the issue, and having plastic cups will alleviate any concerns.
“It’s hard to throw a cup,” said trustee Eddie Floyd.
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
