Vanderbilt University announced Wednesday that alcohol will be available for purchase by the general public during home football games this season.
The Commodores are scheduled to play seven games at Vanderbilt Stadium, beginning with an Aug. 31 visit from Georgia, which is ranked third in the Amway coaches poll.
"Not only will this game-day initiative enhance our fan experience, it will provide additional resources to invest in our mission of helping our student-athletes succeed on and off the field, such as through facility enhancements and in other areas," athletic director Malcolm Turner said in a release. "We want our Commodore family to have a safe, inclusive and welcoming experience at our games, and we will continue to monitor this new amenity closely throughout the upcoming football season."
The Southeastern Conference announced a revision to its alcohol policy in late May, giving each of the league's 14 institutions the autonomy to determine what is permissible at its athletic venues. Vanderbilt is the fifth SEC member to announce alcohol sales in general public areas this season, joining Arkansas, LSU, Missouri and Texas A&M.
Vanderbilt will sell several domestic and imported beers through Spectra, the stadium's licensed vendor. Beer will be available for purchase at each of the four main entry gates, as well as from stationary vendors located throughout the main concourse.
A valid ID will be required, and there is a two-beer limit per purchase. Alcohol sales will begin when the Vanderbilt Stadium gates open two hours before kickoff, and sales will end at the end of the third quarter.
Vanderbilt also announced any expansion of alcohol sales at other Commodores athletic venues and events would be determined later.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.