The thought of football games without alcohol will become a reality at Sacramento State starting next season.

A new policy instituted by the California State University system went into effect Dec. 23 and prohibits the sale of alcoholic beverages at college sporting events taking place in university-owned facilities.

“The CSU system believes that service of alcoholic beverages at intercollegiate athletic events in university-owned or -operated facilities is contrary to its system-wide alcohol policy and to its purpose of promoting a safe and healthy learning environment for all members of the university community,” said CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed in a Jan. 12 press release.

Sac State athletic director Terry Wanless said the new policy only affects football events on campus. “Alcohol will no longer be sold at home football games,” he said.

Several of the 23 CSU campuses have contracts for the sale of alcohol and will be able to fulfill those contracts, with some restrictions. According to the press release, new guidelines for alcohol sales will require schools to comply with state laws.

All campuses are required to provide adequate training for alcohol servers, limit the number of alcohol beverages per purchase and institute a stop time for sales. In addition, schools cannot market alcohol in manners that indicate abuse.

Alexis Carmal, a junior communications major, said that the banning of alcohol at sporting events is both good and bad. “I think it is good to help spread alcohol awareness, but it will cost the schools in revenue,” she said.

Carmal attended three football games at Sac State and thinks the new policy will have little if any effect on attendance. “The games are about school spirit and cheering on your team, not getting drunk,” she added.

Wanless predicts the loss of alcohol sales will result in minimal revenue loss.

“We very diligently monitored sales, limiting it to one side of the stadium,” he added. Alcohol was only allowed on the south end of the stadium, which made it hard to watch the game. He said the impact would not be large because students come to the game for football, not alcohol.

Associate athletic director of marketing Mark Livingston said that alcohol was not a big seller at football games. “I don’t even think they sold a keg a game,” he said.

Carmal attended the Causeway Classic last season and thinks tailgating will rise. “It was pretty heavy last year, but may get bigger each year with the new rules,” she said.

Wanless said that tailgating is not a big problem on campus. “There is a large turnout for one game (the Causeway Classic) and that’s once every two years,” he added. UC Davis is a dry campus, so the tailgating will be reserved for when the Causeway is at home and is subject to state laws.

“Tailgating is about having a good time with family and friends, but it must be done responsibly,” Wanless said.

“The new policy should not change the school’s relationship with current vendors, Budweiser and Miller,” Wanless said. He said that the school doesn’t have a distribution contract with the vendors, but does have an advertising agreement.

That agreement shouldn’t change, Wanless said. “Our advertising is done mindfully and we didn’t violate the new rules even before they were instituted,” he said.

Livingston had a brief meeting with representatives from the Miller on Monday. “It went well; they want to support Sac State athletics,” he said. Livingston said the decision to renew the contract for advertising at Hornet events would be addressed at a later date.

“The policy will probably hurt other institutions such as Fresno State University and San Jose State,” Wanless said. “They have larger football programs and sell alcohol at more sports than we do.”

Wanless said that the new policy is part of a national trend that the NCAA strongly supports. Earlier this year, the University of Southern California banned alcohol at all home football games.

“The CSU system adopting this policy speaks strongly about the support for proper alcohol use,” Wanless said.

Vincent Gesuele can be reached at [email protected]