Ohio Stadium has announced venue-wide alcohol sales will begin for the 2016 season. The move follows a test program that saw select areas of the stadium selling alcohol in 2015. In a club statement, the owners – Ohio State University – revealed that, “the revenue generated by alcohol sales at Ohio Stadium will be used to fund two new full-time positions in the Ohio State Police Department at an annual cost of about US$300,000. These new positions will be utilized year-round by campus police and are not specifically just for game-day security.”
Craig Stone, chief of the Ohio State University Police Division added, “The safety of our campus community, including fans and visitors, is our number one priority. Thanks to this partnership with the Department of Athletics, two new, full-time officers will bolster our security presence and enhance campus safety year-round.”
In addition, US$50,000 will be dedicated over the next two years to fund research being conducted by John Clapp, who oversees the Ohio State University Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Drug Misuse Prevention and Recovery. The funds provided will be used to study how alcohol is consumed and its effects on event culture with the goal of enhancing prevention efforts.
Any additional revenue will go to the general athletics department budget to help fund student-athlete initiatives including but not limited to study abroad and community service programs, the Bucks Go Pro internship program, the cost of attendance, and supplemental nutrition and meals.
June 14, 2016
