Half full vs Half empty: game day alcohol sales

For years NCAA rules forbid alcohol sales in on campus stadiums. Plenty of schools -- like BC -- still sold some sort of booze at private events (tents, tailgates, suites, etc.), but not in the public stadium. A few years ago the rules changed and schools started expanding their alcohol sales. Now it looks like BC will try new alcohol outlets this fall. This is good news for everyone but still not an attendance cure all.

It is not surprising that this is one of Jarmond's first initiatives. Ohio State started selling beer last year and it was a huge money maker. I think the same would hold true for BC. Our fans would certainly buy more if it is conveniently sold on game days. I also don't fear this would be an execution problem nor a drinking and driving problem. BC handles unique sales all the time and getting ID is not that big an issue. Potential drivers already have access to booze and Alumni has fortunately avoided any significant alcohol and driving problems.

While access and convenience might help a few people get into the Stadium on time and bring a few more fans out, booze won't get Alumni full. When people complain as to why they don't buy tickets or don't go to games, in stadium alcohol is minor issue. The product on the field, the opponent and the overall game day experience are much bigger issues. While people get frustrated with tailgating, it is not primarily an alcohol complaint. It is more about the limited time, pricing, BC's treatment of those who pay extra to tailgate.

I applaud Jarmond for trying something new. If it worked at Ohio State, there is no reason it won't work here. But he will still need to make everything about attending a game better, if he wants to see 44,500 people every week.

Maryland pushing for alcohol sales; when should BC try?

Maryland is the latest college sports program exploring alcohol sales at football and basketball games. Their logic -- like the other schools that have implemented similar programs -- is that the stadium sales increases revenue and decreases binge drinking. Current ACC schools, Miami, Syracuse and Louisville sell alcohol at events. At what point should BC try this?

The limited and restrictive nature of tailgating at BC games is a common complaint. The school also dislikes the late arriving crowd. Would serving beers and wine in Alumni make people happy and get fans to their seats on time? What sort of revenue boost would it provide? BC probably has some preliminary data from the UMass game at Gillette last season.

The local neighborhoods might object to giving BC a liquor license, but any reduction in tailgating might sway the approval boards. We've tried all sorts of other measures. Why not this?