Beer sales considered for Dick Howser Stadium

Florida State University baseball fans may soon get the chance to wash down their peanuts with some suds.

The university is waiting on final approvals and must hash out last-minute details before fans can buy beer at Dick Howser Stadium.

For months the university has been considering such a move. If university administration and the vendor Aramark approve the idea, beer could be served this season.

“We are exploring beer sales at baseball games to accommodate our fans,” said Associate Athletic Director Rob Wilson. “We do not anticipate that this will be a lengthy process and hope to finalize our plans shortly.”

No date has been set, Wilson said.

Wilson said still many policy questions remain, including placing a limit on the number of purchases, establishing separate vending locations and a cut-off time.

Fans in attendance at the Seminoles’ season opener at Howser Stadium – located on-campus – against Oakland University Friday had mixed emotions on whether the school should add beer sales at games.

“If you go to a minor-league park or a major-league park, they sell alcohol beverages and it’s never usually a problem,” said Matthew Edgar, a 12-year season-ticket holder along the first-base line.

“I think once the novelty of it wears off, it will be normal and people won’t even notice that it’s there. I am sure when it starts off though, people are going to be upset.”

Added Edgar’s wife Heidi: “ I am not for or against it. Whatever they do, they are going to do. I just hope they have measures in place to police it.”

Others said they understood why the school would want to create a new revenue stream for athletics.

Last year, Texas became at least the 30th college or university to add beer and wine sales, joining West Virginia and Kansas State in the Big 12 and at least six other schools in Texas, including Southern Methodist University and the University of Texas-Arlington.

The University of South Florida in Tampa for instance has sold beer at baseball games for at least the past five years.

“At a lot of places it would definitely be a big plus,” said Lelo Prado, USF’s assistant athletic director for external affairs and the Bulls’ former baseball coach for eight seasons.

“I have to believe a place like Florida State, if they start selling, they are going to make a lot of money. It’s harder and harder to find (new) revenue.” he said.

“Everybody is trying figure out any way, every angle, to make more money.”

Ron Maguire, 85, a season-ticket holder from the late 1970s, offered his perspective.

“I don’t think it’s a great idea,” Maguire said.

“But if they get it, I will participate.”