College sports and beer go hand in hand – unless you’re in New Hampshire, where state law bans most university sports arenas from serving alcohol.
Lawmakers are seeking to change that prohibition. A committee of conference agreed Wednesday to let stadiums sell liquor or beer during college sporting events. The facilities would only be able to sell alcohol in locations approved by the Liquor Commission, and they would be required to obtain a special license.
“The University of New Hampshire and other institutions need this provision to be able to attract guests to their sporting facilities,” said Senate Majority Leader Jeb Bradley, a Wolfeboro Republican. “It seems like a reasonable measure.”
Under current law, no alcohol can be sold or consumed in sky boxes or stadium seating at intercollegiate and interscholastic events. The ban at interscholastic events would remain in place.
Some colleges are already interested in applying for the proposed liquor license.
UNH hopes to serve alcohol in sky boxes at the Whittemore Center and at the new football stadium during games, spokesman Thomas Cronin said.
Dartmouth College did not respond to a request for comment.
The Liquor Commission supports the change, and intends to work with stadium owners and managers as they apply for licenses, spokesman E.J. Powers said.
The compromise, agreed on by a committee of House and Senate members Wednesday, still needs approval from the full chambers before it makes its way to Gov. Maggie Hassan’s desk for signature.
Sen. Lou D’Allesandro, a Manchester Democrat who filed the bill, said allowing stadiums to sell alcohol during college sporting events brings New Hampshire in line with the “rest of the civilized world.”
“This gives them a better environment to do the tailgating,” he said. “They can enjoy each other’s company in the confines of the stadium. It’s a much better situation.”
(Allie Morris can be reached at 369-3307, [email protected] or on Twitter @amorrisNH.)
