Open Announce

Approval Requested to Sell Alcohol at University Stadium

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico Athletics Department and Vice President for Athletics Paul Krebs met with the Board of Regents Tuesday to request approval to have sales of beer and wine at events at University Stadium and WisePies Arena.  The request, if approved, would allow for sales of beer and wine in the main stadium bowl starting this Fall with the 2016 UNM football season.

New Mexico is looking to become the sixth team in the Mountain West to allow full sales of beer and wine for football, joining Hawai’i, Colorado State, Nevada, UNLV and San Diego State.  In addition, regional schools UTEP and New Mexico State also have sales of beer and wine in their stadiums.  Overall, over 40 schools currently have such sales, with nearly 30 of those doing so in on-campus stadiums.

Additionally, the NCAA has announced that it will sell alcohol to the public for the first time at the national championships for baseball and softball this June.

“I believe that this can have a significant impact in increasing our attendance as well as our revenues,” said Vice President for Athletics Paul Krebs.  “In addition, it will allow us to be able to better control our fan environment.  More and more studies have shown that making alcohol sales available inside athletic venues has cut down on binge drinking prior to and after an event.”

“The expansion of sales into new points in our facilities was decided upon after a great deal of thought and deliberation, said Krebs, adding, “It will be implemented on a case-by-case, event-by-event basis, and monitored closely, but the thought process is that we would have sales of beer and wine for the stadium bowl for the 2016 football season.

The University of New Mexico Athletics Department has applied for and been granted an expended license for alcohol sales both University Stadium and WisePies Arena.  The Nitro Circus event on April 22 at University Stadium served as a test run for beer and wine sales.

Previously, UNM was allowed to sell alcoholic beverages only in the U.S. Bank End Zone Club and Field Suites of University Stadium, and in the U.S. Bank Club and Suite Level of WisePies Arena.  The expanded license would allow for potential sales in all areas of the stadium.  There has also been limited beer sales at other events such as the Ty Murray PBR, which a “Beer Garden” set up for beverage consumption, but patrons were not able to purchase and then bring their beverages to their seats in the lower bowl.

William Boyes, the founding director of Arizona State University’s Center for the Study of Economic Liberty wrote last year about the various effects of alcohol sales in relations to problems associated with binge drinking.  In his study, he noted 32 (it’s now over 40) Division I FBS institutions allowed alcohol sales throughout its football venues.  He stated, “None of the schools that lifted the bans reported increased problems as a result. A number have experienced decreases in alcohol related problems.”

Policies and procedures and signage are currently being developed and implemented for events that will have general public sales. 

*Beverage times, including the end-point time for sales will be clearly posted throughout the event and at all sales points.

*Patrons wishing to purchase alcoholic beverages will need to show proof of age twice. Patrons can show their valid driver’s license or NM Identification Card to get a wristband (No vertical ID’s will be accepted). Patrons then must show their wristband and their legal form I.D. at their purchase point, at which time their wristband will be marked.

*Patrons will be limited to two alcoholic beverages per person per transaction. Patrons may return to their seats to consume their beverages, and four in total for any event.

*All customers must show valid photographic identification to get a wristband, and to purchase.

*All servers staffing the individual points of sale will be trained in all state laws and regulations.

To raise awareness of risks associated with drinking and driving as well as other issues associated with irresponsible drinking, and to encourage responsible consumption of alcohol by patrons, UNM will have signage to encourage responsible drinking as well as for various auto services from local taxis to Über. In addition, UNM police will have an increased presence at events.