The resolution was written to equalize opportunities for fans in the regular seating as well as the Wildcatter suites.
Current UW Department of Athletics policy states the sale and consumption of malt beverages and alcoholic spirits are permitted in the Wildcatter Stadium Boxes and Suites, but not in the general seating areas, which make up the majority of the seats.
ASUW Sen. Noah Hull, co-author of Senate Resolution 2340, said the Wildcatter suites provide a full bar to those willing to pay for the suite. When Hull met with the athletic director a year ago, he was told it was simply a money thing, Hull said.
Hull said students deserve equal rights to buy malt beverages, whether they have a Wildcatter Suite or sit in the student section. Phil Abernathy, an ASUW senator sponsor, said he thinks it’s a good idea. Abernathy said he believed the Wildcatter suites will always sell alcohol and the only way to make sales unbiased is to sell to the whole stadium.
Alcohol sales can also increase safety, Hull said. Resolution 2340 stated the “sale could actually lead to increased safety and control of both students and non-student spectators when accompanied by an effective gate policy.”
Hull suggested that selling alcohol at athletic events would decrease binge drinking before games. He also said the amount of alcohol consumption would lower as well.
For this resolution to have a chance at being passed, more students would need to voice their opinions, and the communication between athletics and ASUW would need to increase, Hull said.
Hull also said he does not believe the Board of Trustees will give this a response, which would mean the resolution would not even get a chance to be passed.
Athletics is concerned with underage drinking at events. In response, Hull said protocols would have to be put into effect to stop students of age from providing malt beverages to underage fans, just as what would be necessary with the sale of alcoholic beverages anywhere.
A similar resolution was passed through ASUW almost 20 years ago but did not make it any farther than the current resolution has gone. Hull said the resolution would “most likelihood, have no effect,” but at least would show athletics the unfairness of Wildcatter sales compared to the rest of the stadium.
Hull said he planned to talk to athletics in four to five weeks to un-table this resolution and take further steps to make this more than just hearsay.
Both Abernathy and Hull said they know a lot more research will be necessary and student polls will have to be taken, but they said the most important steps will be opening communication with athletics and handling security concerns.
For now, this bill is just a tabled idea. Hull said he hoped it gets students talking so this idea can become something more.
