The Arkansas State Board of Trustees voted Friday to enter into a lease agreement with a nonprofit corporation, a step necessary for the university to be allowed to sell alcohol at designated areas on campus during some sporting events.
The board unanimously approved the 10-year lease agreement with the NEA Sports Club, a Jonesboro nonprofit headed by a former ASU football player and program supporter. Jeff Hankins, ASU's vice president of strategic communications, said Thursday that the university expects the club to apply to the Arkansas Alcohol Beverage Control Board next week for a large event facility permit.
If granted, ASU will begin selling beer, wine and liquor in premium seating areas during football games at Centennial Bank Stadium, at baseball games at Tomlinson Stadium and at the Convocation Center for concerts by next fall. Alcohol sales will not be permitted during basketball games, but alcohol is provided in premium areas of the arena during basketball games.
The university said the decision was made at the request from some fans and in an effort to explore a revenue stream for the Red Wolves Foundation, the athletic department's fundraising arm.
The plan to sell alcohol is similar to others in the state and in the Sun Belt Conference. The University of Arkansas announced in February 2014 that it would sell beer and wine in designated premium areas at Reynolds Razorback Stadium starting last season. UALR sells beer to general seating ticket-holders during basketball games at the Jack Stephens Center and offers wine and liquor in suites. Sun Belt members Georgia State, Louisiana-Monroe, South Alabama and Troy all sell some form of alcohol to general seat ticket-holders at football games.
"Our policy will actually be more restrictive than most," ASU System President Charles Welch said in a statement.
Sports on 04/11/2015