Would general alcohol sales at Kroger Field lead to more rowdy behavior and actually cause some fans not to attend games? (Vicky Graff Photo)
There has been a lot of discussion over the last few years about alcohol sales to the general fans at UK Football games. Many media people seem to be for it. Others may not. I’ve seen messages from fans that are for it and against it. For those that are for it, here’s my take on the situation.
People have claimed that UK Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart is hypocritical for allowing alcohol sales in private suites but not to the general population. Others claim that Barnhart is pushing his Christian values on all fans that attend UK sporting events.
To play devil’s advocate to those points let’s look at alcohol sales from a different angle. People that purchase suite tickets are in a controlled area. They know who is going to be in the suite with them and can control the activities of the attendees. People who purchase a general population seat or multiple seats (maybe bring their kids) can’t control who sits next to them and how they conduct themselves at the game. That means one could have a 6 year old at the game next to a person who has had multiple drinks, is loud and obnoxious, and cursing the whole game or maybe worse.
We have seen the atmosphere at the UT/Ole Miss game last season with bottles, golf balls and other debris thrown by fans onto the field and at participants and no one wants that at Kroger Field. (By the way Tennessee has allowed alcohol sales at Neyland Stadium since 2019). Alcohol sales for the general population at Kroger Field could lead to an atmosphere that would keep some fans away from live games and so far the lack of alcohol sales doesn’t appear to be hurting season ticket sales this year.
In the interest of full disclosure I don’t drink, I don’t have seats in a suite and I don’t have season tickets but I have had season tickets in the past and have attended many UK games. More than once I have had alcohol poured on me by drunks sitting around me, have watched drunk people fall down the steps and injure themselves and have listened to incessant cursing from drunk fans in seats next to mine. I now stay home and watch it on TV. Not right or wrong, just a different perspective.
Alcohol sales, like so many other issues in our world today, have become very divisive between the people who are for them and people who are against them. Just keep in mind that Barnhart’s job is to create an atmosphere at UK sporting events that is inclusive for everyone. That means he has to consider all elements of the fan experience including their ability to enjoy the game, see a competitive team in an SEC environment and do it safely in a comfortable atmosphere.
He also has to create an environment where fans can get home from the game safely. If a fan were to buy beer at a UK game and then drive through the parking lot or on the highway recklessly and injure or kill someone UK could be held civilly liable for selling alcohol to that attendee. With open alcohol sales at games UK also has no way to control underage drinking at the game as someone could easily buy beer for underage attendees.
I realize that all these scenarios could, and do happen, within the stadium today but at this point UK is not providing the alcohol. That could make a big difference in any alcohol related civil suit and it does release UK from some of the liability by not providing alcohol at games.
The bottom line is that at the end of the day Barnhart is tasked with creating and maintaining an athletic department that is financially sound and creates the most enjoyable atmosphere possible at UK sporting events and doing it with safety in mind.
One can disagree with his methods but it’s hard to disagree with his results. UK has never had a more competitive and financially sound athletics department than they do today. A lot of that is due to the leadership of Barnhart.
7 Responses
I totally agree with Barnhart. I have been to both Pro and college games where people in the stands are drunk, belligerent and foul mouth. That is not the atmosphere I want when I go to UK games.
I very much appreciate your perspective and agree 100% with no alcohol sales outside of the suites. I don’t think it’s at all hypocritical to allow them in the suites and not in the general area….you’re comments were right on. I am a strong Christian, drink very moderately on occasion but don’t appreciate being amongst out of control people…drunk or not (but we all know that alcohol fuels behavior).
I would rather remove alcohol sales all together than have alcohol sales to all. And I am an experienced drunk, but have no desire to buy overpriced beer and have do many MORE drunks at the game and leaving the game.
Well..you can be over served before you even go into the game.
As the article states though if someone comes to the game drunk and injures or kills someone that lessens UK from some of the liability.
IF YOU DON’T HAVE PRIMO SEATS, why even go? It’s too expensive for the experience… takes the whole day, is uncomfortable, and you might have drunks ruin it all. Just watch it in HiDef on a big screen with your own affordable snacks and drinks, without traffic issues and then only spend three hours on it. UNLESS YOU HAVE GREAT SEATS, which only a select few have or get a chance to have.
No beer at the games, I like it. Stick to your guns Mr. Barnhart.