The era of flowing taps at football games is on the horizon. It is creeping up, entering the minds of students and administrators, showing positives stronger than negatives. Currently, a SUNY law restricts the sale of alcohol at publicly owned and operated student venues, but it is time for SUNY to change those laws and give autonomy to individual schools.
Alcoholic beverages are sold at many other college sport venues, as well as at every professional arena. Those places all know how to deal with the effects, and can handle the repercussions and possible dangers. Alcohol is served on this campus at Campus Pizza. The dangers are the same, and the school does not reap any of the benefits.
If the school starts selling beer at football games, a few things will happen. First, UB will generate more money. If they control the sales or subcontract, it will be a huge source of revenue that could finance many areas. Second, in addition to being able to sell beer to the people who already attend games, many new faces will turn out, knowing their drinking needs can be satisfied.
While more students could mean a rowdier presence, the situation could - and should - be regulated. A larger police effort focused on security instead of intimidation would make the event more enjoyable. The school would also follow the guidelines that exist in other places where beer is sold: no beer would be sold late in the game and a limit would be imposed on how much can be purchased at one time.
Also, sections of the crowd could be delegated for each area, so a fraternal environment could coexist with one designed for families and local youths. If the school knows that people are drinking at the game, and in controlled portions, it would be easier to avoid the fans who drink to excess before the game, stumbling into the arena only to cause trouble.
The last thing the school needs is for things to get out of control, especially in the tumultuous world of college athletics. Alcohol is seen as a cause of those problems, but can be effectively monitored, with a proactive effort. If every other place that sells beers can do it efficiently, there is no reason this school cannot as well.
Beer can be sold at games in a way that makes the school money and brings in more fans while keeping a peaceful and safe environment for all fans. Unfortunately, the decision must be made in Albany. SUNY must no longer be able to hold the schools hostage with their ivory tower prohibition, and those decisions must return to the local level in order to be assessed by each school.
