Penn State is exploring the possibility of selling alcohol to the general public at Beaver Stadium, but still needs to receive approvals before the plans can move forward, an athletics department spokesperson confirmed on Wednesday evening.
“The expansion of the sale of alcohol in Beaver Stadium has been under consideration and we have been putting plans in place for this possibility,” the spokesperson wrote in a statement to StateCollege.com “The University will need to secure Board of Trustees and other necessary approvals before proceeding.”
The move would break a longstanding university position that alcohol would not be sold to the general public at the venue during Nittany Lion football games.
Penn State has held a public venue liquor license for the stadium since 2016, but has only permitted alcohol sales in the suite and club areas. Pegula Ice Arena has a similar policy. The Bryce Jordan Center and Medlar Field at Lubrano Park allow alcohol sales during non-Penn State Athletics events like concerts and State College Spikes games.
Citing unnamed sources, the Centre Daily Times reported earlier on Wednesday that Penn State was preparing to use the Sept. 24 game against Central Michigan as a trial run for the alcohol sales, which would include a limit of two drinks per person.
The move would be a clear financial opportunity for an athletic department looking to hold serve in college athletics’ ongoing arms race. Comparatively across the conference, Ohio State began alcohol sales to the general public in 2016 and pulled in $1.1 million in revenue. The following year that number rose to $1.23 million.
An athletic department survey of “select constituent groups” in the spring included a question about alcohol sales in Beaver Stadium, but results of that survey have not been made public
Details regarding the potential sale of alcohol are limited, although given the need for Penn State’s Board of Trustees to approve the decision, it seems unlikely that the plan will be implemented in time for the Nittany Lions’ home opener against Ohio on Sept. 10. Penn State’s Board of Trustees is next scheduled to meet on Sept. 22-23, which falls just prior to Penn State’s return to Beaver Stadium to face Central Michigan after traveling to Auburn in Week 3 of the season. The board can, however, schedule special meetings.
If approved, the move would be the first major change and decision made under new director of athletics Patrick Kraft. He assumed the role in July following the retirement of longtime Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Sandy Barbour, who had long publicly been against the potential for general public sales of alcohol at Beaver Stadium during Penn State games.
StateCollege.com editor Geoff Rushton contributed to this report.
