Lawmakers Vs. University For Booze At New Stadium

Heather Brown, WCCO

The state's push to let everyone older than 21 drink alcohol at the new Gopher football stadium may have backfired this afternoon. On Wednesday, the Minnesota House passed the almost $3 billion higher education bill. In it was wording that, if the University wants to sell alcohol in the stadium, it would be required to sell it in every seat.

"Sometimes they say we shouldn't mettle, but I think that when we give billions of dollars, we should have a little say," said Rep. Tom Rukavina, DFL-Virginia. "It sends a message to the Board of Regents, the legislature still had a little bit of say."

When the University originally marketed the premium seats, the idea was they would be the only place to buy alcohol because it was the only place the security could control who goes in and out.

Rep. Pat Garofalo, R-Farmington, didn't think that was fair.

"The grey poupon crowd up in the corporate suites [should have] the same access to adult beverages as those in the general admission area do," he said.

The University says it has a choice and will choose not to sell alcohol anywhere the stadium.

"The University of Minnesota's goal is to provide a safe and enjoyable game day experience for all of our fans," said University spokesman Dan Wolter.

He said school leaders acknowledge the lawmakers concerns but they don't want to sell alcohol in the general seating area. About 20 percent of the fans who sit there are students.

Grad student Melinda Beard agrees.

"There's a lot of opportunity for students to take advantage of that situation and I don't think the University would be able to control it," she said.

The University said it might considering serving alcohol in the suites, rather than selling it. Garofalo said he would fight that too.

No other Big 10 school allows alcohol sales in the general admission seating for the football games. But University of Minnesota mom Jackie Sirus said the school should at least try and card everyone who wants to buy alcohol.

"I don't know why the U is a bunch of fuddy-duds. I have no idea," she said.