SEC schools now allowed to sell alcohol during sporting events

Fans+in+the+ERUPPtion+Zone+cheer+after+the+game+against+Tennessee+on+Saturday%2C+Feb.+16%2C+2019%2C+at+Rupp+Arena+in+Lexington%2C+Kentucky.+Kentucky+defeated+Tennessee+86-69.+Photo+by+Jordan+Prather+%7C+Staff

Fans in the ERUPPtion Zone cheer after the game against Tennessee on Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019, at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. Kentucky defeated Tennessee 86-69. Photo by Jordan Prather | Staff

Sydney Momeyer

Raise your glasses, SEC schools.

Colleges within the SEC will now be able to sell alcohol at their sporting events. For years, the SEC has banned this practice, but they are turning over a new leaf right before football season.

The conference has been pushed for a long time by both fans and schools to change the policy, and on Friday, they made their decision.

As for the University of Kentucky, which has been part of the SEC since the conference’s formation in 1933, the administration is still unclear on whether or not they will sell alcohol in their stadiums during sporting events.

“The SEC has taken the right approach to this important issue by deferring to the individual, member institutions to make decisions about what is in the best interests of each university, their programs, and their fans,” UK President Eli Capilouto said. “Led by Director Barnhart, UK will take the next several months to consider this issue. We will, as always, seek to do what is right for the University, our student-athletes, and the experience and safety of our fans.”

Recently, UK has taken a different approach than in the past to alcohol policies, including the creation of a “Gameday Zone.” In the Gameday Zone, students who are 21 and up are able to enter and tailgate before football games. The zone is located on Pieratt Field, and was made in attempt to monitor drinking so that students can stay safe during tailgates.

The new SEC policy is set to go into effect Aug. 1, 2019.