LINCOLN - The University of Nebraska Board of Regents lifted the prohibition on alcohol sales at Husker athletic events on Friday.
Rescinding the 1999 policy, as regents did on a 7-0 vote, doesn't mean beer and liquor will automatically go on sale at Memorial Stadium, Pinnacle Bank Arena, or Haymarket Park. Instead, rescinding the old policy simply allows NU's president and campus chancellors the authority to make changes in the future.
"This is about consistency across our campuses," President Ted Carter said.
The university had previously applied the alcohol ban inconsistently as the University of Nebraska at Omaha sports and other places were allowed to sell alcohol but Husker events were not. Carter went on to say that even if alcohol is allowed at Husker events, it will not take place this coming fall. A spokeswoman for the university said there is currently "no definitive timetable" for when that might happen. Chancellor Ronnie Green said last week he has discussed what beer and wine sales would look like at Husker events with the City of Lincoln.
"With respect to Husker Athletics, (Athletic Director Trev Alberts) and I have been considering this carefully and will thoughtfully approach how to best move forward," Green said in a statement.
Despite the lack of a timetable for football games, regents are expected to approve amending the university's contract with the city to allow alcohol to be sold at the Big Ten Conference Wrestling Championships at Pinnacle Bank Arena on March 5-6. Friday's vote rescinding the ban paves the way for UNL to one day join a majority of Big Ten schools -- Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Minnesota, Ohio State, Purdue, and Rutgers -- as well as programs across the country that sell alcohol at games.
Some have been in opposition to allowing alcohol sales at sporting events, including many past athletic directors.Carter said NU would consider several factors before approving alcohol at any events, and would bring any proposal to regents for approval.
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