This can't be good news for those of us living in private homes within walking distance of the stadium for it means that we will soon be suffering weekly plagues of carloads of loud,obnoxious drunken football fans filling the streets around the stadium in all directions.Many of these people could be inebriated before they even get to the stadium and selling alcohol during the game will only make it worse.I don't know if AU is going to charge for parking-that hardly matters since the shortage of hundreds,if not thousands,of parking places in relation to the stadiums capacity assures that there could be lots of tailgate parties carried out in cars parked on nearby residential streets.I hope my fears regarding all this are overblown-maybe I'm far enough away from the stadium that I won't have to listen to people yelling,car doors slamming and radios playing obnoxious music and I won't see any Public Urination from my house.Just because that can't plan enough parking places in time for the stadium opening doesn't mean they haven't done a fine job on other areas like providing restrooms.

I agree with Marvin. They will NOT drink IN the Stadium. But the ticketing and arrests wils rise by making these good people criminals for drinking OUTSIDE the stadium.

As always, REVENUE will dictate the need to sell alcohol inside the venue down the road.

BOY, DO I wish I owned a bar within walking distance.

Well, there is going to be increased traffic--automobile & pedestrian--on six days a year. Big deal. The drinking probably won't be any worse than a typical Friday night in those parts.

Preparty!

Tailgate!

When old people make policy for young adults, it usually is lame, and will end up badly.

They want to sell to the alcoholic lawyers and businessmen who bought suites, etc., but the kids can't have it? You are just asking for trouble, UofA.

It's about time! Alochol does not need to be served at ANY sports complex ... college or PRO! There should be security forces in place at the AU stadium, and if anyone appears under the influence, then they should be denied entrance!

Oh boo hoo, ALCOHOL, such an evil, evil thing. Really? Give it up old man river, sports and booze is what makes America great. If no sports and no booze, well then America will suffer economically, just watch, if the American beer industry ever goes belly up during the reign of mr. obama, then the fed will bail them out as well, they are just waiting for a reasont o stick their hands in that as well, maybe State colleges willl soon be ran by the federal govt. hmmmmmmm, all sounds like the things that made us leave England oh so long ago. Unfortunately AU did not allow alcohol sales to everyone in the stadium, only those who are rich enough to afford the good seats.

This is a non issue. Akron U already has this policy in place at the JAR, and I don't recall readin' about there bein' any problems before or after a bball game.

I would expect the policy only to change, because they don't get the attendence they hoped for.

marvin where do you live? i need a good place to set up my beer pong table and corn hole.

also is it a rule on here you have to the the "University of Akron" AU?

SMOKING IS BANNED ... ALCOHOL SHOULD BE BANNED. Anyone who thinks sports and alcohol go hand in hand doesn't have a brain in their head! Drinking and driving kills! I don't know a man smart enough to limit their drinking at a sporting event! and you can take that to the BANK!

Look at the numbers. "Infocision Stadium has a capacity for 30,000. The club and suite levels have 1,038 seats." Add to that, the people who can afford the premium seating are probably not going to be binging on alcohol at these limited number of events. Off-campus student housing alcohol consumption will hopefully be status quo. Assuming increasing security on game days will offset the increased enthusiasm and attempts to drink. It's too soon to panic. Overall, the on-campus stadium is still a good thing.

Considering the size of the crowd at most UA games. There shouldn't be any serious problems. I've been to plenty of games in Columbus and never even considered that they should sell beer there. Fans should just do what we did in HS 40 years ago at the Rubber Bowl-just wear a "Banana Man" coat and fill it up with cans of Black Label.

@Retired: Prohibition, really? In this day and age? Fortunately not everyone in America feels this way. I heard on the news this morning an American brewing company is sending thousands of cases of beer over to the troops for 4th of July. Prohibition is not realistic and not going to happen. Moderation, security, AA, counseling, etc. are options that can work while keeping one of our freedoms.

Retired, are you Old Man Grump with a new name? You sound like the old rambling and bumbling idiot that we all know as OMG.

Get a life dude. If you don't like drinking, then either don't drink or don't go to the game. Big deal. If someone is drunk as a skunk they are usually handled by security at these events.

I assume you do not go out to dinner Retired? People drink there. Do you now go to picnics or family get-togethers either? People drink there usually. What a bonehead!!

Wow, this seems like discrimination. Only the rich that can afford club seats get to drink? I must be naive. I don’t know of any universities selling alcohol on premises. The U of A needs to rethink this policy. There are too many positives happening at the U of A and the school is starting to make a name for it’s self on a national level. What good can come from this?

Retired,

Then you don't know enough responsible people. Don't advocate blanket policies based on anecdotal tales. My experience is that most people don't want to get wasted on $6 beers.

Breathing and thinking should be banned as well. Or at least taxed..................

I have no problem if some want to drink while at the game however, when I go to a game I do not do it only to have to get up and let some guy pass by eight or ten times as he goes and gets another drink.

Also, I go to watch the game not pass beer back and forth while getting soaked as the stuff dumps while passing it down.

They need to find a way to allow those who wish to drink a way to do so without infringing on those who do not or quit dringing long ago.

Either serve alcohol everywhere in the stadium or make the whole thing dry. This only serving to people in premium seats junk is for the birds.

@ Access Denied:

No need to ban the thinking. Not much to be found around Akron to begin with.

Yoo-hoo! Mabel! Black Label!

Nice remembrance there, Malcom.

Let's separate the "haves" and the "have nots". Good thinking

They should sell everywhere or nowhere. As a former Zip, I find this decision troubling. Once again it is the Liberal Elites out thinking themselves.

Wow, amazing that someone on this blog could actually turn a conversation about the merits of drinking alcohol at a sporting event into a tirade about the "merits" of the obama administration...

Give it a year and see how fast the U of A people change their minds. This new stadium wasn't paid for in cash. Bills have a way of coming due.

There are 2. Count them 2 beer and wine drive-thrus not 100 feet apart currently across from the new stadium on Exchange. I always thought it odd. Well they just got a license to print money.

Urban--so you think "young adults" should make their own policy? Ha ha, good one! What a disaster that would be. Ever hear of May Day?

OSU doesn't sell beer at the stadium and I would suspect it is that way in most NCAA football venues.

Eh, it doesn't matter. No one will attend Akron Football Games anyway. The students that do will drink in their dorms and off-campus housing like they do now. I love that there's a dry campus within 100 feet of 4 places that sell beer and within 500 feet of a dozen bars.

The bigger problem is that the University of Akron is that the way UA parking is designed, most of the available parking spots are 1/2 mile or further from Infocision Stadium. We're seriously going to see Hood Tax turn-styles appear and people will be paying $10 a head for the right to walk to their car.

Additionally, traffic is going to be a nightmare on the days when there is a game. Worse so, when ODOT finally closes the Wolf-Ledges interchange (the only part of the central interchange project that still has funding).

One possible explanation for the caste-system policy on booze: It's the only sure way they can get our il-lush-trious local politicians to attend.

In one post, "AkronLaw" says that no one will attend Akron football games, and that traffic is going to be a nightmare. Sort of like the famous Yogi Berra line about a restaurant that nobody goes to anymore because its too crowded. All of us should pray that this guy isn't actually a practicing lawyer....

JIM CROW LAWS AT AKRON U!
HA HA HA HA

I wonder if there's going to be any DUI traffic stops if only the wealthy will be permitted to drink. Make sure while leaving the game you key any Lexus or BMW in the lot with a nice long sratch.

Well, lots of underage students in the stands, and adults in the suites, so this makes sense to me. Not sure why nobody else gets that this is the right thing to do. Selling beer everywhere in the stadium is a recipe for disaster. Fake IDs everywhere!

Is anyone surprised that Akron Univ. built a nice new stadium and then made policy that only a few can kick back and enjoy a "football" game with a beer.....What the heck is more of a college experience then going to a game and having a beer.
So sad for the responsible 21 year old student or citizen that wants to have a little venting during a school year.

Really is dumb, but that dosn't surprize anyone.

@ bruce1365, I agree 100% discrimination, money talks I guess.

If drinking is to be banned for the masses of the unwealthy then it should be banned for everyone at the stadium. This catering to the privileged has got to stop. This ruling is pathetic.

Why do they call them "TRUSTEES" when I don't trust a word that comes out of their mouths. This is another decision that should be voted on by more than the pretentious tools . . . er . . . trustees who have disposable incomes to pay for premium seats.

You (the Trustees) are taking a really good thing and turning an affordable sports entertainment opportunity into an exclusive club like most of the Cleveland sporting events.

Fools.

Hey RETIRED, I think I know you, weren't you a dope dealer at Firestone Tire and Rubber midnight shift in the late 60's? I think you used to hang out at the Crystal Bar watching the go go dancers at 6am. I took you home several times because you were always drunk by 9am. Yea it was you. I herd you got divorced in the 80's because your wife couldn't handle your addictions any more. So don't take it out on us in the year 2009. Go get drunk again and talk about the "good old days" and leave these young students run their own lives the way they want.

As a season ticket holder, I find this policy very discriminating. It is ok for the upper class fans to drink, but us lowlifes in the cheap seats must be denied. Either everybody has access to alcohol or nobody has. This is another stupid decision by the Bored of Trustees. Recall all of them.

oh man that means if i cant afford the good seats i cant drink

Even though most NCAA stadiums don't sell alcohol at their sporting events, it's the fact that these arrogant tools have given the right of alcohol consumption only to the people that can afford premium seats.

You see this type of thing everywhere including local and national government. It's ridiculous.

I am voting these trustees as future pinatas . . . can I take the first swing?

@retired:

"Drinking and driving kills!" - Kids on campus can walk, does that count?

"I don't know a man smart enough to limit their drinking at a sporting event!" - I guess you don't know very many smart people, do you?

"Alochol (sic) does not need to be served at ANY sports complex ... college or PRO!" - When was the last time you attended either? If not, why do you care? Is it your goal to legislate everyone else's life against what you don't care for yourself?

"Yoo-hoo! Mabel! Black Label!"

Hey @carbunkle, I always <> at the old Pabst commercials when they stated, "voted Americas best beer in 1896!" Like, that was 100 years ago. What have you done lately?

Not complaining though, I downed my share of PBRs in my younger days. Now I'm a Rolling Rock man. God bless the green death!

First, the name of the school is The University of Akron and not Akron University.

Second, the entire campus is not dry. Drinking is permitted/encouraged at UA's Performing Arts Hall.

Third, yes this is discrimination and there is nothing wrong with legal discrimination. There is no constitutional right to get pie eyed.

Fourth, there is plenty of available parking for the new stadium and within 1/8 of a mile and not 1/2 of a mile. The Exchange Street Deck across from the dorms is being added to as we speak and there is another deck less that a quarter mile away to the east right off of Route 8. There will be little to no students needing to park for class during game days and time. There are no evening classes at UA scheduled on Fridays Saturdays and Sundays. Mondays thru Thursdays see very little evening students on campus

Fifth, there will be a charge for parking. I suggest you buy a season pass for $25.

Sixth, No one can make someone else a criminal. One can only make himself a criminal by choosing to break the law. You get a DUI, its 100% your fault. The devil didn't make you do it.

Seventh, It doesn't matter to me that I won't be able to drink at the games. I would just be up and down going to the restroom anyway.

Eighth, If they ban drinking entirely in the stadium, the mayor won't come.

PS - I have a feeling this policy will be relaxed in the next or future seasons. Also, the universitiy's policies are set by the trustees. There is no mob rule at any university. We/students don't get to vote on policy issues.

Spirit, I agree it should be nowhere or everywhere. But it isn't Liberal Elites it is conservative elites (rich corporate types) driving this. The Conservatives don't want the evil of drink, but want the rich contributors to be able to drink.

Many of the large schools (with huge crowds and stadiums) do not allow drinking.

As far as Marvins complaint about the obnoxious crowds of drunk, tailgating, etc. Most people attending games will be the college kids. They'll drink in their dorms, apartments, etc. Then walk to the game. I don't think thousands will flock down to UA to watch games and tailgate.
Spirit of Reagan
Richfield, OH

Posted 10:13 AM, 06/18/2009 They should sell everywhere or nowhere. As a former Zip, I find this decision troubling. Once again it is the Liberal Elites out thinking themselves.

i think notre dame is the only div 1 ncaa team that allows drinking in the stadium. i could be wrong but i think thats it.

oh well, i prefer to just watch the games at home or at a bar. id rather get hammered with comfort and convenience.

Bilbo,

You're right on with the policy. As soon as they see how many people are drinking accross the street before the game and at halftime (=lost revenue), the beer garden will return!

I love how everyone turns an issue of a dry campus stadium into an "everyone will be drinking and driving" rant.

First: Drinking and driving is separate issue. What makes drinking at a stadium any different from a restaurant?

Second: Everyone seems to be flabbergasted by the fact that college students like to drink, and therefore make it harder for them to do in public locations, which IMO, is safer than a frat house basement with 15 cases of beer. Recent research says that MORE college students are losing their lives to alcohol, OFF the highways!

...I also think a lower drinking age would be more beneficial as well, but that is another rant for another time.

Who paid for the stadium? These are the people who should vote on alcohol sales, not the trustees.

Hey Bilbo, you're obviously mis-informed on the parking situation at the wonderful University of Akron. 1/4 of the student body are non-traditional night and evening students. Prior to construction, the University of Akron had 18,000 parking spaces. Currently there are right around 15,000 parking spaces, and post construction, we'll be back to 18,000.

Now, the recent trend in on-campus housing, (one of the key reasons for the stadium location) has eaten into these parking spaces as thousands of parking spaces are constantly occupied by these resident students.

The parking lots nearest the stadium, only the field house parking lot and the JAR parking lots are within 1/8 of a mile. The next ones, the route 8 parking deck, the exchange deck, and surface lot 38 are between 1/8 of a mile and 1/4 of a mile. Then lots 41 & 37 are between 1/4 of a mile and 1/2 of a mile. Then the majority of the available parking in lots 26, 34, 43, 47, 54, 14 falls within the 1/2 mile to 3/4 of a mile range.

There are roughly 10000 parking spots within 3/4 of a mile of the stadium with Polsky, Quaker Square, private lots downtown, and the wonder lots excluded because they are 3/4 or generally undesireable. Now of those 10k spots, many are eaten up by residential students and those with classes (traditionally 800-1000 students) on weekends. If they sell out the stadium, it'll be a mad-house. If they don't, no one will care.

Leaving these students to run their own lives the way they want is what has gotten this country in the mess it's in. Furthermore, I never worked at Firestone. I've lived around drunks all my life, abhorr drinking and have no respect for anyone who puts a bottle to their mouth! You're probably the guy who pays $6 for a beer and complains about the price of gas! Also, I am educated, worked many years, paid my taxes, and know that this is how you spell HEARD not HERD!

"Leaving these students to run their own lives the way they want is what has gotten this country in the mess it's in."

No, it's what this country was founded on.

This is a bunch of garbage to only allow alcoholic beverages in the premium seating vs. the whole stadium. It should be ALL DRY or let the whole stadium be allowed the booze!

"Who paid for the stadium? These are the people who should vote on alcohol sales, not the trustees."

Since it's Infocision Stadium, I am shocked that there is alcohol allowed at all. I worked for them as an admin about 10 years ago and they are an ultra-Christian conservative company. Women weren't allowed to wear pants (just skirts and dresses), prayer was encouraged, big supporters of the Christian Coalition, men ran the show, etc. I am completely shocked that there will be alcohol. Better watch it - girls might be sent home for shorts and/or skirts an inch above the knees!

No, the reason they allow drinking in the suites is because that's where the ALUMNI sit. Heaven forbid they should cut off the money supply. They could care less about the current students, its all about the alums!

am i wrong, but wouldn't most "fans" be under age to be able to drink anyway? This and Canal Park, which is to be a "family" park, should be DRY. I've been to a few Aero's games and have seen some people drinking 5-6 7 beers esp on "$1.00" 12oz. night.If you need to drink--do it at home , if you came to watch baseball or football or even basketball--stay sober (besides, who can afford the over priced beer?)

If you're so offended by people drinking, don't go to places that sell beer.

Akron Law - Those night students will not conflict with game goers and I'm not misinformed. I was on the nail. Someone estimated that parking was 1/2 mile away. And you agreed with me that there are much closer lots. Also, non-traditional does not = night student and 30,000 fans will not be coming to a game in 30,000 cars.

Jennifer - InfoCision doesn't own the stadium. And that's nice that the company is Christian and so what? UA is not a Christian College and no Christian group has the right to tell a public university to run itself according to their religious beliefs (BTW - Christians are allowed to drink). The Stiles family is Jewish and you don't see them tell UA how to run the Field House.

Many people pay for all of UA's facilities and they don't set policy for UA. The tustees do because that is their job. The stadium is not some sacred cow. It's just another UA facility and it will be run by UA through its trustees as in everything else.

Way to cater to the suits "Akron University"!

@Marvin, the stadium seats roughly 30,000 and the have 10,000 parking spots within walking distance. Parking will not be a problem. You will have less vehicles making the trip since more students can now walk to the game. And very few people got to a game with only 1 or 2 people in there car, so a spot for every 3 people is more than enough capacity.

@Retired, says "I don't know a man smart enough to limit their drinking at a sporting event! and you can take that to the BANK!"

You should get out of your house and meet some people. The drunks at most sporting events are in the minority. It is not the other way around as you suggest.

When is the last time 30,000 people attended an Akron University game?

They will be lucky to draw 5,000 with the crappy team they put on the field year after year.

@bruce1365, UA was selling beer at the Rubber Bowl in a beer garden. So even if you do not know about many universities, you already have one example that was here in our back yard and no bad press came of that.

@nikki, sitting at a college football game and enjoying a beer is NOT a typical "college experience" as you suggest considering very few universities do sell beer at college sporting events.

It seems from the layout of the stadium, the decision has to do with enforcement. It is easier to limit abuse by restricting it to the area of the stadium that will already have tighter security in terms of entry.

A good number of the "commuter" students live in the dozens of apartment complexes within a block or two of campus or the houses south of exchange. They won't be driving either. You aren't going to walk nearly as far at the Info as you would if games were still at the Rubber Bowl.

The University of Akron's official position is that more moneyed people can drink without any ill-effects. This makes perfect sense. Everyone knows that folks with money can hold their liquor better than those of more modest means.

@AkronLaw, you better go look at the UA Parking information. you could not be more wrong in your calculations on parking availability. Most of the lots that you listed that would be serving the football traffic are classified as "commuter" parking and can NOT be used by resident students.

http://www.uakron.edu/facilities/parking/lot-designations.php

Weekend and evening students also parking very close to their classes which most of the lots near the football stadium will not be the prime choices.

@samhall, more than 5k attended at the crappy Rubber Bowl, so your prediction could not be further off.

I've said this before. This bogus concern about parking is contrived by those who want to begrudge "THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON" for putting greatness on campus. It's just a red herring in order to attack positive attributes of the institution.

Even at full capacity, the stadium will not produce a parking problem.

bilbo - I don't remember saying that the owned it; however, their name is on it. Their name being on it means they fronted a boatload of money for it to be built. With that being said, I think the university would listen a little closer to any unwritten rules about the stadium. I do know that Christians drink, but most ultra conservative ones do not. Given the corporate rules within the company, I am willing to bet Gary Taylor doesn't toss a few back while watching a Zip football game. I have no problem with them being a Christian company, like you said, so what. I am simply stating that because they ARE and their name is ON the stadium, I am shocked that their money didn't talk a little louder to ban alcohol completely.

@Akron Law - 1/4 of the UA student body do not attend classes in the evening. Adults and non-traditional students attend both day and evening classes. And little to no students attend classes on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings. Basically everyone is out of there by 6pm.

@Bilbo - Not to mention that "basically everyone" includes 90% of the residents who head home for the weekend every single weekend. The resident floors on the Exchange Deck, the North Campus Deck, and the gravel lot by EJ are all more than half empty every single weekend.

Jennifer - your argument is nonsense. There are plenty of other people who have their names on UA facilities and gave UA far more money than the Taylors. Should they set policy for the rest of the campus too? Perhaps we should all keep kosher while we are in the Field House?

bandzip - True that has always been a sad fact with regard to the dormies. It was when I lived in the dorms. The only people who stayed other than me and a few other NE Ohio residents were students from N.Y., N.J., P.A., Ill., Canada etc.

Perhaps that can change once UA starts to give dormies a reason for staying. For example E.J. Thomas is doing a horrible job programming for UA students. One concert a semester along with pizza and hot dog parties on the outside of the hall is not changing E.J.'s focus on non-UA students one bit as was promised in a 12/30/2007 story in the BJ ("Thomas Hall gets its new act together" It's still the biggest student rip off on campus.

@jennifer - Also, in all reality, the real name of the stadium is The University of Akron Stadium.

Will they have concerts at this stadium? I can't recall ever hearing about a large scale concert where libations were not offered.

Watching other people throw a ball around is sooooooooo boring that you have to be drunk just to tolerate it.

All it says is that it covers home football games for 2009. It doesn't specify concerts, etc.

Yes, they have listed major concerts as being billed for this sub-venue of the campus.

And, as the story stated:

"The prohibition does not apply to nonathletic and nonuniversity events held at the stadium. For those events, alcohol sales may be allowed from the main concourse concession, if approved on a case-by-case basis."

UA even allows drinks in plastic cups and beer in plastic beer "bottles" not only in the lobby of its performing arts hall but also in the house.

@Greek - You're talking about watching a baseball game. To me, that's like watching paint dry!

When all is said and done. I say limiting alcohol to those in luxury seats only makes The University of Akron come off as elitist snobs. I realize I said that it is a legal form of discrimination and it is but it still isn't fair and has bigger symbolic meaning than "kids getting drunk". It sends the message that UA students are second class citizens in a facility that is first and foremost theirs. College students are the main customers at a university and are the reason why the university exists for the most part. It comes off as a slap in the face of every UA student.

I believe that this will be one reason why the decision will be reversed in time. Even top administrators at UA want the students to have that freedom.

Students should always come first at UA and it needs to show that they do.

Someoen doesn't like that I called a spade a spade regarding UA's performing arts hall. Like I said, it is the biggest student rip off on campus.

I really don't think it matters what they do. At the most they'll probably have 1 or 2 thousand people at all of Hilltop High's football games. I'm curious what the UAPD is going to do to all the tailgaters swilling their booze in the few parking lots. I'll bet all the frat houses will have keg parties in their front yards before the games. Plus all the residents near the stadium can make a few bucks selling parking to game attendees. All in all it won't be much of a problem because most Crackronites have little interest watching a 3rd rate football team that rarely wins. I know you'll be seeing a stadium with on average 25 to 28 thousand empty seats unless the visiting team buses in some fans. Just a gigantic waste of taxpayer money for a pipe dream of a situation like real football teams like OSU or MSU or Pennv State! It will never happen here!!!

Franco = Nasty hillbilly Crakronite.

only the well to do snob types can get drunk and act wild and crazy(@@0 racy dont like them making the rules by the classes like in England

This is a look at the trickle down theory coming from Washington. The elite and the peasants. Get used to it.

A new rule:

From now on, whenever someone calls it "Akron University", everyone can dish out the ultimate diss--- "KENT GRAD"

So for example, on this particular story, I'd say:

Lucid Thoughts, samhall, Betamax, Greek, and Niki=Kent grads

Ugh...sorry to the above posters, but you are the sacrificial lambs. Judging from the fact that you own a computer and can type somewhat coherent statements, you must not be true Kent grads.

@Franco, your post only show you know nothing about the team and the fans.

And I am guessing you did not even finish high school, since you do not even know how to spell "Akron" as demonstrated by your login information.

Gain some reality, I did finish high school and I also attened Hilltop High which is what it was always called in my time there. It was just an extenion of high school. Half the courses are remedial courses of what you should have learned in high school. And that is just a typo, I don't remember even putting that in the login. The parking has always been awful, I remember driving around forever trying to find a spot and eventually just giving up and going back home. Just wait and see , if that stadium is ever half filled I'll be very shocked.

@Franco, if half the classes you took were "remedial" that is not the University's fault. It is your own.

This is like the pyramids being built on the backs of slaves so only the Pharoah could enjoy them.

YEA!!!!!. I will be able to drive home safely without being hit by a drunk!!!!!!

What I find amazing is all of the p*ss*ng and moaning about not being able to get a beer at the game. Geez, you folks can't wait 2 1/2 hours to have a beer? You can go out after and have one. For those that think Akron's program stinks, need I remind them that the Zips have beaten NC State and Syracuse on the road in the last couple of years. By the way, Syracuse did beat Notre Dame AT Notre Dame the same year. The Zips may not be the class of the MAC but they're better than they used to be. And believe me, I've seen my share of games at the Rubber Bowl.

Sorry UA, but I done gradumated from Akron University. I have the stupid mailing labels they keep sending me to prove it!

People like samhall and Franco just illustrate the problem with those that live in this city. Show some pride in your town and your school. It may have been a dump when YOU went there but it sure as heck isn't now. The best part: Your degree (if you graduated) will look much more impressive with the Pedigree the the University of Akron is developing. A gem of a stadium and sports teams with bright futures don't even compare to the several top-ranked NATIONALLY degree programs available at your local university. I don't mind though, you can sit in your little house, gripe about it, and keep imagining what UA looked like 10-20-30-40 years ago when you sat stoned and ignorant in a seedy Gardner Hall. GO ZIPS!

Franco, "Just wait and see , if that stadium is ever half filled I'll be very shocked."

I will be saving this quote and article to throw in your face when the stadium sells out or above 80 percent. Which i think will be really fast.

How about some role modeling?? How about having some character and integrity? Let's not drink at the stadium because the students arent legally able to. Let's take some responsibility and be accountable not for the bottom line but for the welfare of our children's Future. Please??

@Mr King, many students are legal to drink. And many entertainment venues have kids present and allow drinking. Do you know of some scientific study that has show drinking at a sporting event harms children in the future? That is what you are suggesting.

how much do you think I could charge for a 40 spot parking lot 1/4 mile from the stadium?

Call me crazy but I think it would be nice to pass a good example along to our kids. Example being people actually can have fun without getting trashed. I know...crazy concept.

samhall= kent grad

wow, so many comments....

How do I get the premium seats, being an alchy and all?

@stand up, allowing beer does not automatically equate to "getting trashed". Do you always live you life worried about the minority that goes the the severe?

If you are worried about being one of the "unwealthy" and not having a beer at the stadium, CHECK THIS OUT !!

Stop whining, go to college, finish your degree and then go back to the stadium a few years later and sit with the wealthy and have a beer at the game.

U of A or AU...they both work. They mean the same. What's the big deal dumb*ss ??

Anyone arguing over this must also be arguing about not being able to drink beer at the new AU stadium.

Amen Karl, the place is a dump no matter what you call it! Hope ya'll enjoy another 3 and 7 season in that palace built on the back of students and the tuition they are paying for it!

Thanks for the intelligent response and for furthering my point.

Less than 3 months to go!

samhall - once again you demonstrate how cluless you are. Tuition is not paying for the stadium. In fact student fees are not paying for it either. Now go look for your brain.

Also, Akron Law - you said yesterday that one quarter of the UA student body attends class in the evening...not even close. I was speaking to Lora Conley at UA ( director for non-traditional students) and here are the facts: 4,700 students are considered "Adult - non-traditional students" but not all of them attend in the evening. She stated that is a big misperception. All that non-traditional refers to is age. So, a good estimate would put evening students more around 10% of the entire UA student body.

Again, this issue isn't about moaning over not getting a beer at a game. It's about classism and snobbery. It makes UA look very bad. What a horrible public relations move on their part. Booze for all or booze for none.

Right bilbo! They are using money they have raised from other sources in order to pay for this. What happens when they need money for a legitimate project related to education? Oh yeah, they will just raise tuition and student fees.

Pull your Akron U head out of the sand!

The stadium is a legitimate project. And why don't you ask when the last time tuition was raised while UA is currently building a research center for Polymer Science. The university just got done raising $600,000,500 in a campaign that is still going strong and every bit of that money came from donations and is earmarked 100% for education related purposes including scholarships for students. And UA has raised even more millions for continued research. None of that money will be used for the stadium, you ignorant hick. You know where you can pull your head from.

BTW, samhall - nice back peddle.

Gee kids, daddy would like to take you to a home town football game and enjoy a beer after working hard all week. Low, the Trustees think daddy is not worthy to have that beer. Sorry kids, if only we could afford the 15% increase every semester at Akron U, you too could have the good seats.

@sheila, consider tuition has been frozen few a few years now and any fees that exist no way could be raised enough for the total bill to go up, your example is nothing more than a lie.

sheila = Kent grad

karl rove = kent grad

Franco = kent grad

And UA is not the same as AU and only UA works. AU is Athens University dumb a@@.

"Leaving these students to run their own lives the way they want is what has gotten this country in the mess it's in."

I ran my own life as an underaduate student 1100 miles from home. Presently, I'm a contributing part of society, not only from an economic stand point but also a intellectual and moral one. So how did I contribute to the 'mess we are in'?

I live close enough to the new stadium that I will have to drive by it on my way home from work when events, games and whatever else is going on. I strongly agree with others that it should be a all or non drinking policy. if they decide that beer can be consumed by all, get one of the ID readers where the ID is swiped, as far as I know, people have not found a way to circumvent those yet.

On a different note, I really hope they will have some manner of traffic control and pedestrian control when games/events are taking place. I can't tell you how many time I have or have seen others, slam on breaks as flocks of people randomly try to cross the street against traffic, outside of cross walks etc. without even taking their eyes off the cell phone, or whatever else to make sure they aren't about to become roadkill.