Buying Beer At Jack Trice Stadium: What You Need To Know

Alcohol sales at college football games are becoming increasingly common, but Iowa schools have been slow to follow this trend. Jack Trice Stadium, home of the Iowa State Cyclones, currently only offers beer and wine to VIPs in suites and clubs. However, there have been recent calls for the stadium to allow alcohol sales to all fans, with some arguing that it would boost revenue and improve the fan experience. While there is resistance due to concerns about maintaining a family-friendly environment and potential alcohol-related issues, other colleges have successfully implemented similar policies, and it remains to be seen whether Jack Trice Stadium will follow suit.

Alcohol sales at college football games

According to recent surveys, a significant number of major college football schools now sell alcohol during games. A survey by The Associated Press found that 80% of Power 5 conference schools and Notre Dame sell alcohol in public areas of their stadiums on game days. This marks a notable change from just a few years ago when only a handful of top-tier Division I schools sold alcohol during games. The survey also revealed that 19 schools in Power 5 conferences began selling alcohol to the public during football games in 2019, bringing the total to 39 such schools at the time. Since then, even more schools have joined the trend, with Michigan State, Kentucky, and Stanford among those now selling alcohol during games.

However, not all colleges are on board with this change. Some schools, such as the University of Wisconsin and the University of Michigan, have chosen to refrain from selling alcohol at football games, at least for now. These schools have expressed concerns about maintaining a collegiate atmosphere and the potential impact on their unique culture. They prefer to take a wait-and-see approach, monitoring the data and community feedback before making any decisions. Additionally, some schools have implemented partial alcohol sales, limiting alcoholic beverages to VIPs in suites or specific areas within the stadium.

The debate around alcohol sales at college football games is complex and multifaceted. While some view it as a way to boost revenue and enhance the fan experience, others worry about the potential negative consequences and the impact on the traditional collegiate atmosphere. As the trend continues to grow, each school must carefully consider its own values, culture, and community feedback when deciding whether to allow alcohol sales during games.

At Jack Trice Stadium, the home of the Iowa State Cyclones, the discussion around alcohol sales has been ongoing. While Iowa State has not yet implemented stadium-wide alcohol sales, there have been calls for them to follow in the footsteps of their rival, the University of Iowa, which began selling alcohol throughout Kinnick Stadium in 2021. Despite initial resistance from athletic director Jamie Pollard, who cited concerns about fan behaviour and the school's moral high ground, there may be a shift in the future. Iowa State's partnership with West O Beer to sell Ames Lager, with proceeds going to the WeWill Collective (the school's NIL fundraising entity), has added a new dimension to the discussion. While the primary motivation for allowing alcohol sales would not solely be revenue, it could be a significant factor in competing with other schools and supporting their athletes.

Jack Trice Stadium's food and beverage selection

Jack Trice Stadium offers a variety of food and beverage options to satisfy the cravings of hungry and thirsty fans. The stadium's food selection includes classic stadium fare such as burgers, hot dogs, corn dogs, pizza, chicken tenders, and tacos. However, it also offers some unique options like pork tenderloin and cheddar bratwurst, a nod to its proximity to Wisconsin. These main dishes are reasonably priced, ranging from $5 to $11, depending on whether you add fries.

The side dishes and desserts are where Jack Trice Stadium truly shines. Along with standard options like popcorn, sno cones, funnel cake, cotton candy, pretzels, nachos, packaged candy, and peanuts, they offer more unique choices such as poutine, cheese curds, and even fried Twinkies! These sides and treats are a bargain, starting at $4 and maxing out at $7, making it easy to indulge.

For beverages, the stadium provides a range of options to quench your thirst. You can choose from bottled or fountain soda, bottled water, Gatorade, lemonade, coffee, and hot cocoa. Interestingly, the stadium only offers one type of beer, Rise, catering to those who want an alcoholic drink.

While the food and beverage selection at Jack Trice Stadium may not offer a vast variety, they do provide a good range of options to suit different tastes and preferences. The prices are also quite reasonable, making it affordable for fans to enjoy a meal and a drink during the game. So, whether you're craving a classic burger and fries or feeling adventurous with some fried Twinkies, Jack Trice Stadium has something to offer.

The history of Jack Trice Stadium

Jack Trice Stadium, located in Ames, Iowa, is the home field of the Iowa State Cyclones. The stadium is named after Jack Trice, Iowa State's first African American athlete, who died from injuries sustained during a game against the University of Minnesota in 1923.

The stadium was originally known as Cyclone Stadium and formerly Jack Trice Field. Construction began in October 1973 and was completed in less than two years, with the first game taking place on September 20, 1975, resulting in a 17-12 win over Air Force. The stadium consisted of two-tier grandstands on both sides of the gridiron and had an initial seating capacity of 42,500.

Over the years, Jack Trice Stadium has undergone several improvements and expansions. In 1976, bleachers were added to the end zones, increasing the capacity to 48,000. The stadium has also seen the addition of a new scoreboard, the construction of the Jacobson Athletic Facility, and the replacement of the Astroturf playing field with natural grass. In 1997, a new three-story press box was constructed, containing nine luxury suites, and the stadium was officially renamed Jack Trice Stadium.

The most recent expansion was completed in 2015, enclosing the south end zone with permanent upper and lower seating, increasing the capacity to 61,500, and installing a new video board and sound system. Today, Jack Trice Stadium is the second-largest stadium by capacity in the Big 12 Conference.

Iowa State's position on alcohol sales

Iowa State has historically resisted the sale of alcohol at Jack Trice Stadium, with Iowa State's athletic director, Jamie Pollard, stating that the university is "not interested in changing [its] current position on alcohol sales during home athletic events". Pollard has cited concerns about fan behaviour, suggesting that alcohol sales would cause the university to lose its "moral high ground". He has pointed to gameday police reports as evidence that there are "enough idiots that do things that make you go 'My gosh, what were they thinking?'".

However, other universities in Iowa and across the US have begun to sell alcohol at college football games, with 52 of 129 Football Bowl Subdivision programs selling alcohol stadium-wide as of 2018. Some commentators have suggested that Iowa State's resistance to alcohol sales is influenced by Iowa's "aw-shucks, wholesome value system". Additionally, the university's position may be driven by a desire to maintain a family-friendly environment at football games.

Despite Iowa State's current stance, there is a possibility that the university could change its position in the future. For example, the University of Iowa previously resisted selling alcohol at its football games but began doing so in 2021, citing the need for additional revenue in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Iowa State may find itself in a similar position, especially if it feels pressure to keep up with its competitors in terms of revenue and fan experience.

Furthermore, the recent partnership between Iowa State's NIL fundraising entity, the WeWill Collective, and West O Beer to sell Ames Lager, has renewed calls for the university to allow alcohol sales at Jack Trice Stadium. While the beer is not currently sold in the stadium, some argue that doing so would provide a boost to the university's revenue and its athletes' NIL earnings.

Alcohol sales at other college stadiums

Alcohol sales at college football games have become increasingly common in recent years, with 88% of FBS schools selling alcohol during the 2023 season. This shift has been driven by the pursuit of additional revenue and the need to attract fans to venues. While some schools have embraced this change, others, particularly those in Iowa, have been more resistant.

The University of Iowa started selling alcohol stadium-wide in 2021, becoming the first school in the state to do so. This move generated over $3 million in revenue, with $2.4 million coming from Kinnick Stadium and $600k from Carver Stadium. The net intake, after deducting 30% for the UI Alcohol Harm Reduction Committee, amounted to $1.13 million. The university also conducted a survey, which found that 82% of respondents reported that expanded beer and wine sales had a positive or neutral impact on their game-day experience. Interestingly, the number of alcohol-related citations issued by the UI Department of Public Safety on game days decreased from a five-year average of 33 citations per year to 24 in 2021.

Other universities in Iowa, such as Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa, have been more hesitant to change their alcohol policies. Iowa State's athletic director, Jamie Pollard, has stated that they are "not interested in changing their current position on alcohol sales during home athletic events." He cites concerns about maintaining a moral high ground and the potential impact on the tailgate atmosphere. However, some Iowa State fans and writers have advocated for allowing alcohol sales, arguing that it could boost revenue and support the NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) rights of players.

Outside of Iowa, several other colleges and universities across the country have also embraced alcohol sales at their stadiums. For example, the University of North Carolina has seen success, with about $4 million in sales, while the University of Texas and Ohio State University have both generated over $1 million in revenue. On the other hand, some schools have chosen to restrict alcohol sales to premium seating areas or suites, rather than allowing general sales to all fans.

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