Auburn became the last SEC school to offer alcohol at sports events this previous spring. During spring basketball games, students started to notice concession stand fridges were stocked with seltzers and beer. At the start of this football season, Auburn incorporated alcohol sales into the student section of Jordan Hare as well.
Opportunities to get drinks inside the student section are now plentiful, with almost every concession stand and food booth offering alcohol to students, as well as stands that carry beer, seltzers, and a select variety of other drinks. Of course, only students above 21 can buy, but the question remains: should Auburn be selling alcohol in the student section?
Perhaps the biggest concern that comes with selling alcohol to students is the increased rowdiness that often accompanies it. College kids coming from tailgates, apartment parties, or even pre-games with their friends now have an opportunity to continue drinking and induce their inebriated states even more. Selling alcohol to students can increase the likelihood of disruptive behavior, especially when students are already under the influence.
This can lead to issues such as property damage, conflicts with other students, safety concerns and an overall environment that is increasingly challenging to manage. Additionally, with law enforcement constantly patrolling the stadium, students have an increased likelihood of getting in trouble, much to the detriment of their weekend.
At the Arkansas game of the 2024 season, my roommate and I were standing in one section of the upper bowl when Auburn had their fifth turnover of the game. A boy our age, with two beers in hand, began throwing shakers and empty popcorn buckets down the stairs. While the question of how much he had drank in the stadium is unanswerable, we had seen him go down multiple times throughout the game and come back with drinks each time.
These purchases no doubt led to his inebriated state, emphasizing the idea that perhaps alcohol in the student section isn’t always a good thing, as it often leads to poor decisions and aggressive behavior. Law enforcement showed the boy out with no issues.
After the same game, my friend and I caught wind of the fact that one of our guy friends’ reached a state of extreme intoxication at the game, and in an overactive response to the loss, punched a hole through his wall. With his mom in town, she expressed concern to my friend and I at dinner that his ability to keep purchasing at the game led to damage to his own house.
Additionally, it raises further questions of responsibility for booths that serve alcohol inside. Starting to sell alcohol in the student section no doubt makes underage college students more willing to try their luck, which could also lead to issues.
At the Oklahoma game of the 2024 season, again in the upper bowl, I witnessed a girl, clearly underage, attempt to get a white claw at one of the booths. When the man working told her he couldn’t accept it, she became angry and started arguing, showing the empty can in her hand to him in an attempt to prove that she had already acquired some (presumably, another student had bought it for her). This serves as an example of how students may be more willing to exploit loopholes or try their luck because of this new recent addition.
However, the pros of selling alcohol in the student section also carry weight. When Auburn students choose to come to the game, they are giving up part of their day to support their team. Everyone has the means to acquire alcohol outside of the student section, whether from an older friend or by purchasing it themselves, leading to the idea that opportunities inside the student section should present similarly.
Doesn’t Auburn have a duty to make the football game experience for students as enjoyable and comfortable as possible? As for college-age students, doesn’t that include selling alcohol?
Doing so provides a convenient and enjoyable way to socialize and relax while watching the game, and eliminates the need to leave the venue or try to sneak alcohol in. Students who can purchase inside may be more likely to stay for the entirety of the football game, rather than leaving early to go drink elsewhere, and alcohol no doubt helps create a lively and energetic atmosphere within the student section, helping with engagement and support to the football team.
Additionally, an opportunity to purchase inside potentially reduces the number of students who consume excessive amounts of alcohol before entering the game in an attempt to have their buzz last all four quarters. Students are more likely to drink moderately if they know they have an opportunity to purchase inside, rather than opting to drink heavily at tailgates or other events preceding the game. Additionally, this gives Auburn more power, as alcohol sales can be cut off at certain times or to certain individuals, and any vendor can refuse drinks to a severely inebriated official.
From an economic standpoint, selling in the student section benefits Auburn. Giving a large audience like Auburn students the ability to purchase can create significant additional revenue for the school, which can be re-invested elsewhere on campus. Universities that allow alcohol sales to students have reported meaningful financial turns in the past.
There is no shortage of things Auburn can do to help manage alcohol in the student section. Strict ID checks, an increased security presence, and post-game monitoring when students leave can all help ensure that students are drinking safely inside, and are safe immediately leaving the stadium.
The fact is that all students have ways to ensure they can drink on game day, so prohibiting alcohol in the student section will not change that. While there are concerns about rowdiness and increased inappropriate behavior, selling alcohol in the student sections aligns with the reality of student behavior, and should be allowed so long as proper security measures are in place.
Not selling alcohol doesn’t stop students from drinking; it simply shifts the place of consumption. All students have autonomy and should have the ability to drink inside if they are of age.
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