Beer will no longer be sold at basketball arena
The CU Athletic Department announced on Monday that beer will not be sold at the Coors Events Center during this season’s basketball games.
Eleven years ago, CU banned beer sales at Folsom Field. The beer outlaw was originally supposed to last a two-year trial period, but with success, it became permanent.
“CU will be joining the Big 12 Conference in the act against selling beer at basketball games,” CU Athletic Director Mike Bohn said Monday. “We think it is one of the best ways to keep our fans safe and create a positive atmosphere.”
Championship events for the Big 12 were also included on this act two years ago, even though the NCAA had strict alcohol selling policies prior.
Although beer won’t be sold to the general public, private groups attending the basketball games, will be able to purchase liquor.
Other schools around Colorado have not yet put the act completely into effect. Colorado State University allows beer sales at Hughes Stadium during football games, but ends sales at halftime. Beer is not sold at Moby Arena, CSU’s basketball facility.
Bohn said the decision shouldn’t come as a surprise to those who follow trends in college basketball.
“If a viewer can’t watch a basketball game without a beer, they need to re-evaluate their views on life,” said Lauren Hickey, a 21-year-old CU student.
But some game-goers are shocked.
“The CU basketball games will now only target students under the age of 21, profit rates at all angles including ticket sales will now drop due to not catering to needs of adults that are 21 and older,” said Jenny Rich, a 19-year-old CU student.
University officials say that although they decided to ban beer sales, they do not believe that the Coors family – who donated five million dollars to the events center in 1990 – will be upset with this new regulation.
“We want to make it clear that Coors has been a great partner with our university, we are very proud to work with them on several things,” Bohn said. “We couldn’t ask for a better sponsor, and we plan on continuing our joint venture.”
Contact Campus Press staff writer Cailey Wright at cailey.wright@colorado.edu
