Some Kentucky fans can choose to have alcohol at Kroger Field but only those in suites while most attending the games will not have that option. (Vicky Graff Photo)
All of us have our personal beliefs and convictions. Nothing wrong with that. However, sometimes we all have to accept that our personal beliefs might not match with the needs of others, especially in the business world.
Kentucky athletics director Mitch Barnhart has done a wonderful job with UK’s overall athletics program. However, his stance on alcohol continues to baffle me.
He spoke to media members Saturday mainly to try and calm the John Calipari-Mark Stoops controversy but I am not sure he really did a lot to help based on what he said.
Credit Kentucky Sports Radio’s Adam Luckett for asking Barnhart about alcohol sales at Kroger Field during the media opportunity. Remember UK has a lot of facility needs, including the new basketball practice facility Calipari wants that helped start this controversy.
But Barnhart said no way to alcohol sales again — unless you are a big money donor to UK football.
Those who can afford luxury suites — or have friends who give them access — will be able to enjoy their alcoholic beverages while watching UK football games. But not the average fan who has purchased most of the 44,000 season tickets UK has sold for this season.
Even though the SEC started allowing alcohol sales in 2019 in general seating sections, Kentucky won’t do it. In fairness, Alabama, Auburn and Georgia are also not allowing general seating alcohol sales.
Barnhart left no wiggle room when Luckett asked him if UK might change its alcohol policy as some hoped after beer was sold at a concert at Kroger Field recently.
“We’ve got a great atmosphere where we are. That’s a short conversation today,” Barnhart said Saturday. “I knew that somewhere along the way we’d get to it on my other 94 notes here.”
“We’re where we are. We’re sort of in the same situation we’ve been in. We’ve got a great atmosphere. We sold 43-44,000 season tickets, we’ve got some visitors that will be coming in, we’ve got an eight-game home schedule and feel pretty comfortable with what we got going on.”
Not sure “pretty comfortable” with a select few having access to alcohol while the majority of fans do not is the right thing to be saying. If there is no alcohol, then let there be no alcohol. That’s fair to one and all. But the way it is now, it remains unfair to the so-called average fan when it comes to alcohol sales at Rupp as only a chosen few get that privilege.
8 Responses
My son & I had to put up with a drunk Ga Tech fan seated immediately in front of us during the 2016 TaxSlayer Bowl. Not fun! Not a good atmosphere! Those rich folk in the suites invite who they want & can kick them out if needed. The regular folk have to put up with drunk fans who spill beer on us, fall on us, cuss at us, and ruin the experience for us. Maybe sometimes saying ‘no’ to something is actually a good thing.
Understand completely and then just say no to everybody
That’s a little hypocritical.. it makes it seem like the riff raff can’t have it because they’ll get to rowdy ..but the dignified ones in the luxury sweets that’s different..
Either you have it or you don’t.
We’ll, one goofy thought – you wouldn’t have the entire student body chugging a six pack pre game or the older peeps downing 5 or 6 Martinis !
Folks could drink at a more leisurely pace knowing they could quench their thirst a bit on the inside.
I remember going to Stole Field in a coat and tie with a pint of bourbon in each inner coat pocket – one for me, one for my date.
Those were the day !
I remember those days as well Paul — but I never wore a coat and tie as a student
The inconsistency of the suits having alcohol is the issue and the elephant in the room. Tailgating affords everyone the option to drink. And drunk people coming into the stadium occurs now.
All or none. But the big money force Mitch to allow it. I respect the moral stand and I would vote no to all drinking in the stands. But if you let the rich…then take everyone’s money.
Mitch loses the high ground with the inconsistency. I wont call it hypocrisy but he seems to bend his principals for the wealthy.
Vote not booze for all. I have been to sporting events and the drunks are always a negative. Indiana fans especially.
I would vote no drinking with you David if up to me. But I just don’t like that some can, some can’t
We get Woodford Reserve Double Oak. "Let them eat cake". The shear audacity of this is amazing. I would like to see all of those 44,000 season ticket holders that do drink to boycott the season opener. Stay in the parking lot. Listen to the game on the radio or those big screens that some fans bring to tailgating.
This is classic America. The rich do what they want and the rest of us talk about the unfairness of it all.
I am sure most on here have heard this a time or 10 in our lifetimes. "What’s good for the Goose is good for the Gander"! Unless you are a UK FB fan without enough money to buy a luxury suite!