UK Athletics announces pilot program to sell alcohol at sporting events – Kentucky Kernel
Jack Weber
Kentucky Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart watches the women’s basketball game between Kentucky and No. 1 South Carolina Thursday, January 12, 2023 at the Memorial Coliseum in Lexington, Ky. South Carolina won 95-66. Photo by Jack Weaver | Employees
UK Athletics announced a pilot program that will test the sale of alcoholic beverages at sporting events, starting with the 2023 baseball and softball season.
“As always, our priority is to positively impact our student-athletes and the experience of our fans,” said Mitch Barnhart, Kentucky athletic director, in a press release. “As has been our longstanding practice, we have approached this consciously while keeping our priorities and principles in mind. We focused on data and the lessons learned and best practices from other institutions. After carefully considering these factors, we have decided it is time to conduct a pilot program at baseball and softball games this season so we can learn more.”
The program allows for the sale of alcoholic beverages, including beer and soda, in cans or mugs at home baseball and softball games.
Each sale is limited to two alcoholic beverages per transaction and requires the presentation of proper ID.
In baseball home games, the sale of alcoholic beverages ends in the middle of the seventh inning, while in softball home games it takes place in the middle of the fifth inning.
“Mitch and his team thoughtfully walked through a process that led to this pilot program,” British President Eli Capilouto said in the press release. “The institution has grappled with the decision to initiate a pilot program, and the athletics department’s methodical approach will result in the best experiences for our student athletes and sports fans alike. It is through that lens that we will be making decisions about future seasons.”
UK franchise partner Aramark will manage all sales of beer and soda at all UK sporting events and will seek to monitor alcohol consumption to prevent overly disruptive patrons.
There are currently no plans for an alcohol-free area, but UK Athletics noted that all alcoholic beverage sales will only be sold at designated locations.
For now, the program will only apply to the baseball and softball programs, with a decision scheduled to be made in the summer after a full season of overseeing the program whether or not to expand the program to football games in the fall.
Under SEC rules, no advertising for alcoholic beverages may be shown in or on UK sporting venues that lock down the point of sale.
Kentucky Baseball will host its first home game on Tuesday, February 21 when it hosts Evansville, with play scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. EST.
The softball team will host its first home game on Wednesday, March 8th when it hosts the Dayton Flyers. This game is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. EST.