Drinking banned at Penn State tailgates

[Dr. Jack]

Drinking banned at Penn State tailgates

By GENARO C. ARMAS, Associated Press Writer

Hoping to cut down on underage drinking and create a safer post-game environment, Penn State is banning alcohol at parking lot tailgate parties during football games inside Beaver Stadium.

Imbibing before kickoff and after the final whistle, though is still OK.

The policy change had been under discussion since the end of last football season, and one impetus was the increasing number of alcohol-related trips to the emergency room by students, university spokesman Bill Mahon said Friday.

Last year, 353 students went to the emergency room for treatment, up from 229 in 2004 and 175 the previous year, Mahon said.

"Home football Saturdays are among the heaviest days for emergency room visits," he said. Twenty-five students were taken to the hospital after Penn State's home win last October over Ohio State, which ended late at night.

Police services director Steve Shelow said many underage fans leave a game early because of too much alcohol — or they may not even make it into the stadium at all.

Penn State got complaints from some fans and visitors. School officials met with borough and campus leaders "trying to figure out what we could to do bring a little more sanity" to game days, Mahon said.

"With increasing frequency ... a number of fans are coming to the tailgate areas with no intention of attending the football game. They have no interest in supporting the team inside the stadium and are simply utilizing the parking lot areas for group parties," athletic director Tim Curley said in a statement.

Mahon said police plan to have a more visible presence and are trying to stop the drinking they see.

[WildKat]

That sucks!! There's no reason to go to the games now! j/k

[Yankee23]

Originally Posted by Dr. Jack

"With increasing frequency ... a number of fans are coming to the tailgate areas with no intention of attending the football game. They have no interest in supporting the team inside the stadium and are simply utilizing the parking lot areas for group parties," athletic director Tim Curley said in a statement.

That's because they can't find tickets to the big games and go for the atmosphere.

[Deck]

everyone will go to the lions den now.