By Jambar Contributor
Chad Torres
Starting this season, beer is being sold at Youngstown State University football games for the first time since the university was established in 1908.
The sale of alcohol at the stadium is contained to the west side of the complex. The east side, used for the student section, has no alcohol
Some students have expressed concern with the stadium selling alcohol, while others have showed support.
An arrest was made Oct. 14 at Stambaugh Stadium during the North Dakota State University football game.
Timothy Arbogast, age 30, was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest by an officer of the YSU police department.
Arresting officer, Adam Skovira, said in his report Arbogast was highly intoxicated and uncooperative. The report said Arbogast was attempting to purchase a beer at time of the arrest.
Shawn Varso, YSU PD chief, said this was the only arrest of the season.
“We keep a close lookout [at the games]. There have not been any other incidents involving the alcohol at the stadium,” Varso said.
Varso said the arrest was isolated and the department has seen no extra problems from beer sales. He said the most common problem with alcohol comes from outside beer being brought into the tailgate lots.
YSU Director of Sports Information Trevor Parks said alcohol sales have been a success.
“We have had great crowds this past season. We had about $25,000 in concession sales. Not just beer, but all concessions,” Parks said.
Parks said the beer stock has been moving at a consistent rate.
“I don’t know the exact numbers, but we have sold about 50 percent of our product [each week],” Parks said.
Parks said the security concerns with beer have been handled well to his knowledge. He said athletics will be going forward with sales in future seasons.
YSU students had different opinions when questioned on the stadium beer sales.
Allyson Dean, junior marketing management major, did not feel it was necessary for the university to sell beer at the stadium. She also thought drinking should be kept at the tailgate lot.
“I think if there are people who are 21 and over that want that experience, then they can do that in the tailgate lot and do that on their own time before and after,” Dean said.
Ty Wright, graduate student in athletic training, said beer at the stadium does affect the experience of going to the games.
“I feel like more people show up, because there’s alcohol now … Nothing really changes other than giving people beer,” Wright said.
Wright said fans should not worry about the alcohol.
“[You are still] having a good time and watching the Guins play and fight,” Wright said.
Zachary Glunt, nontraditional computer science major, said it is dependent on the individual to drink.
“It’s their [football fans’] choice. As long as everybody is being responsible, I don’t think it would be a problem. If you choose not to, then that is your choice,” Glunt said.
