Connor Wince

The Republic | azcentral.com

Arizona State University started contemplating regulating tailgating activities in May, but when its announcement of new tailgating rules was released Thursday morning, it did not stop ASU students and fans from expressing their disappointment.

ASU announced it will no longer permit the use of kegs and other apparatuses that would "encourage the reckless consumption of alcoholic beverages" in designated tailgate parking lots around Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, according to a statement from the university.

Apparatuses that are no longer allowed include, but are not limited to, the use of beer bongs and the participation in drinking games, the statement said.

Within minutes of the announcement, ASU students and fans took to social media to express their opinions about ASU's new rules.

James Cornick, a communication student at ASU, tweeted, "BREAKING NEWS: @ASU bans ASU fans at football tailgates."

In an email, Cornick said the new regulations will not stop students from drinking and ASU is simply looking for another way to hand out citations.

He mentioned the recent deaths and injuries involving ASU students and alcohol were not related to tailgating.

"If we are 21 years old, why can't we play drinking games?" he said. "They're eliminating part of the game-day experience."

Cornick did not think the actions would do anything to cut down on the number of underage drinkers at ASU, either. He said students will only become more creative and will drink off-campus behind closed doors.

Further, Cornick thought the school was choosing between two of its initiatives—promoting environmentally friendly behavior and trying to lower the number of underage drinkers.

"Why are we allowed cans and not kegs?" he said.

ASU and law-enforcement agencies, including Tempe police, are allowed to enforce these new regulations in the designated areas around the stadium that open up to five hours before kickoff, according to the statement.

"The tailgating recommendations are based on the cooperative relationship between ASU and the city of

"We believe these changes will enhance the game-day experience and ensure a higher standard of safety."

The changes were recommended by the Statewide Student Safety Task Force, which began contemplating regulations in May, to the Arizona Board of Regents after a series of high-profile incidents involving alcohol and ASU students over the past two years.

Most recently in March, an intoxicated ASU freshman lost her balance on an apartment balcony and fell 10 stories to her death after consuming alcohol at a party, according to police. Her death prompted a police investigation into who provided her with the alcohol.

Tailgating is allowed at home football games in university parking lots, with season-ticket holders allowed in five hours before kickoff. Other lots open 3½ hours before the game.

The University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University already have "no kegs" rules at tailgating parties. UA allows tailgating six hours before a game; NAU has afour-hour rule for alumni and fans who purchase space in the tailgate section. Students have their own section but can't start until three hours before kickoff.

The task force did not include all of the regulations they were originally considering. The group had considered cutting down the times fans are allowed to tailgate and prohibiting re-entry into games hoping it would reduce the number of people who leave to drink and return drunk and unruly.

Those who attend ASU football games have other options for entertainment before the game, however, like nearby Mill Avenue.

Zach Fowle, the marketing manager for World of Beer locations in Arizona, said on game days the restaurant is packed from the time they open until the time they close and was surprised to hear of ASU's new rules.

"Tailgating is supposed to be a fun thing," he said. "You are supposed to be able to go out without the fear of being arrested."

He thought the restaurant might see a slight uptick in the number of attendees with the new ASU regulations, but the restaurant is busiest on game days during and after the contests.

Fowle said the restaurant also does not serve the kinds of beer that can be commonly found in kegs, so he did not expect people to choose World of Beer as a substitute to their tailgate keg.

Harley Rodie, the managing partner of Gringo-Star Street Bar, said he expected a lot of tailgating to be drifting toward Mill Avenue anyway and was not surprised ASU had introduced the new regulations.

With new construction replacing parking lots around Sun Devil Stadium, Rodie figured more people would venture toward Mill Avenue before the game.

"It doesn't tremendously surprise me," he said. "They want to create a safe environment."

He said the restaurant is busy the entire day of a game, but the restaurant is also trying to do outreach in order to attract more people earlier in the day on game days.

Republic reporter Anne Ryman contributed to this article.