Clemson University and the Clemson athletic department are set to begin offering sale of alcoholic beverages for the first time at sporting events.
Beginning with the Clemson football spring game this Saturday, sales will be available at select Aramark concession stand locations and kiosks in Memorial Stadium, and starting the week of April 7, alcohol can be purchased at baseball and softball games as well.
Prior to approving the sale of alcoholic beverages at sporting events, input and suggestions were taken into account from the university administration, public safety officials, industry experts from Aramark Sports and Entertainment, and Clemson Ventures.
The sale of adult beverages aligns with similar policies brought online by the majority of athletic departments of major universities and athletic departments across the country.
“We are excited to continue to expand concessions offerings and roll out this important change to our game day experience, and we want to be thoughtful in doing so, said Clemson University athletic director Graham Neff.
Clemson University has secured the needed permits for the sale of alcohol from the South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDR) who manages the sale of alcohol in the state of South Carolina. It is noted that policies and procedures are subject to change as the process takes shape with plans for all Clemson University venues under active consideration.
Until now, Clemson University was one of just three Power 4 schools, and the only school in the ACC, SEC, or Big Ten, that did not permit the sale of alcohol at athletic venues, nor has it ever accepted sponsorship revenue from alcoholic beverage advertisers.
“We have appreciated the support from several key groups to begin a safe implementation that is both fan-friendly and family-friendly,” added Neff. “We will continue to evaluate the impacts and adapt our offerings and policies to meet the needs of our fans.”
Among the general policies being introduced for the purchase and consumption of alcohol at Clemson sports venues is as follows:
Purchasers must present a valid identification showing proof of 21 years of age or older, no vertical IDs will be accepted as sales locations regardless of the person’s age, and students will not be permitted to use Tiger One cards to purchase alcohol.
Additionally, any person deemed to be intoxicated will not be permitted to purchase further alcoholic beverages and no more than two adult beverages may be sold in a single transaction. Sales will begin when the venue doors open to the public, and cutoff times will be posted throughout the venue. For the spring football game, that cutoff time is at the end of the third quarter, following the seventh inning for baseball, and end of the fifth inning for softball.
The consumptions of alcoholic beverages and their possession from outside the venue will be prohibited and alcohol purchased inside a Clemson University venue will not be allowed to leave that venue.
