ECU To Sell Beer, Wine At Selected Home Athletics Events

GREENVILLE, N.C. -- The East Carolina University Department of Athletics will partner with its concessionaire, Aramark, to sell beer and wine at 2019 football games in Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium beginning September 7 against Gardner-Webb University. ECU will also sell beer at basketball games in Minges Coliseum and at Clark-LeClair Stadium for all home baseball games.

The East Carolina University Board of Trustees approved in July the ability to sell alcoholic beverages at athletic facilities. During the summer, a task force appointed by Interim Chancellor Dan Gerlach worked to develop policies and procedures to be compliant with applicable laws and best practices.

"We have worked closely with the university and the ECU Police Department to develop a comprehensive plan that emphasizes fan experience, safety and security," East Carolina Athletics Director Jon Gilbert said. "We have been in contact with numerous schools that have experience with alcohol sales. From our research, we have developed a list of best practices that will allow us to closely monitor sales at athletic venues. It's another option for our fans if they want to partake, but those that don't will have a fan-friendly experience. It's imperative that everybody who enters our venues has a safe and memorable experience."

Beginning this football season, fans will be able to purchase beer and wine at eight stand-alone locations around Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Each person 21 or over will be required to wear a wristband in order to purchase, possess or consume alcohol. Wristbands will be issued with a valid ID to individuals 21 and over at kiosks inside the venue. Individuals consuming alcohol must always be able to produce a valid photo ID as stadium personnel may ask to see an ID at locations away from the original point of sale.

Only one alcoholic beverage per person may be purchased per transaction. Sales will begin two hours prior to kickoff inside Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium with all sales scheduled to end at the end of the third quarter.

In partnership with Aramark, a variety of domestic, imported and craft beers will be available for purchase. Concession stands inside the student section will not sell beer and wine.

Aramark has a training program for serving and selling alcoholic beverages. Each trained concession team member will hold a current, active and valid certification in an approved alcoholic beverage service training program from TEAM (Techniques for Effective Alcohol Management). This training will be conducted by Pitt County ABC and/or North Carolina ALE.

Fans are encouraged to report any violation of the policy or any unruly behavior by notifying stadium or law enforcement personnel at 252-328-4690 or via text at ECU94597. Please dial 911 for emergencies.

FAQs
Why is East Carolina Athletics allowing the sale of beer and wine at its athletic venues?
The opportunity to sell beer and wine was approved this summer by the East Carolina University Board of Trustees. We feel like the addition of beer and wine sales will add to our gameday experience while maintaining the safety and security of our fans. We have worked diligently to develop a comprehensive plan that emphasizes fan experience, safety and security. East Carolina has been in contact with numerous schools across the country to acquire best practices and results. We have received feedback from their experience that offering beer and wine inside stadiums can lead to reduced alcohol-related incidents and reduced binge drinking at tailgates.

What other schools across the country are allowing alcohol sales?
More than 60 of the 129 FBS-playing schools are slated to sell alcoholic beverages at football games in 2019. In 2019, the NCAA began selling beer and wine at Division I Men's and Women's Basketball Championships.

Where can I purchase beer and wine inside Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium?
Fans can purchase beer and wine at eight stand-alone locations as well as through stationary sellers located throughout the main concourse. Beer will only be sold in cans, and red and white wines will be sold in plastic cups.. We will have clearly marked designated concessions throughout the stadium that offer alcohol, non-alcoholic beverages and food.

What kind of beer and wine will be sold?
A variety of domestic, imported and craft beer as well as red and white wines.

Will I have to show ID every time I purchase beer or wine?
Yes. Identification checks are required at every point of sale. Accepted IDs include valid driver's license, military ID cards, passports, and government-issued photo ID cards. In addition, anyone consuming alcohol must be able to produce a valid ID at all times as stadium personnel may ask to see an ID at locations away from the original point of sale.

Will beer and wine be available to purchase throughout the entire game?
No. All beer and wine sales are scheduled to conclude at the end of the third
quarter.

Can I purchase beer or wine through vendors in seating sections of the stadium?
No. Alcoholic beverages may not be sold by vendors within the seating areas. All alcoholic beverages are to be sold and dispensed only at designated stationary locations.

Can fans bring their own alcohol into the stadium?
No. The possession or consumption of alcohol not sold within Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium is strictly prohibited.

Will beer and wine be available to purchase at other athletic venues on campus?
Yes. Plans are being made to have beer and wine sales at all home men's and women's basketball games and home baseball games.

Will the beer cans be recycled?
Yes. We will have a recycle program in place at each point of sale and located around the stadium.

What will East Carolina athletics do with the proceeds from beer and wine sales?
Proceeds from sales will provide additional resources to the athletics department operating budget.

What action should I take if I suspect someone near me has consumed too much alcohol or has passed alcohol off to a minor?
Please inform the nearest usher and stadium personnel will respond. Or report any violation of the policy or any unruly behavior by notifying stadium or law enforcement personnel at 252-328-4690 or via text at ECU94597. Please dial 911 for emergencies.

How are staff that will sell alcoholic beverages being trained?
Alcoholic beverages will be served only by trained concession team members who hold a current, active and valid certification in an approved alcoholic beverage service training program from TEAM (Techniques for Effective Alcohol Management) sponsored by the TEAM Coalition.

This training will be conducted by Pitt County ABC and/or North Carolina ALE. In addition, trained staff members will work with event management to develop a customized Facility Alcohol Management (FAM) plan which includes:

Protocols to deny service to minors or visibly intoxicated individuals.
Recognition of fake IDs and acceptable forms of identification.
Increased customer service and security presence in parking lots immediately before and after sporting events.
Ensuring supervisors enforce policies via staff dedicated to monitoring compliance.
Enhanced gate screening to prevent entry of alcohol.
Use of existing first-aid stations.
Communication protocols for fans to share concerns about alcohol sales.
Promotion of responsible drinking, ride sharing, and designated drivers.

East Carolina University Policy and Code of Conduct for Sale of Alcoholic Beverages

No alcoholic beverage may be taken inside Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.
No more than one alcoholic beverage may be purchased per transaction.
Beer will be served in a can and wine will be served in a cup.
A valid ID is required for each transaction.
Alcohol will not be served to fans who are visibly intoxicated.
Alcohol sales will end at the conclusion of the third quarter.

East Carolina stadium personnel and law enforcement will monitor fan behavior. Ejection without refund, arrest, or refusal of sale or consumption could result for reasons not limited to:

Possession of alcohol by a minor
Passing off alcohol to a minor
Disruptive or illegal behavior
Public intoxication or impairment
Abusive or offensive language or gestures
Throwing of any objects

Failure to follow instructions given by stadium and/or law enforcement personnel.

ECU To Sell Beer, Wine At Selected Home Athletics Events

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