Photo: Wesley Hitt, UA Athletics
UA officials say there have been no changes to the university’s policy on bringing beer into the Hog Pen at Baum Stadium, despite a Thursday morning report in the Arkansas Traveler student newspaper of an upcoming “crack down on baseball booze.”
Update: That story has since been deleted and republished.
Athletic department spokesman Kevin Trainor said Thursday afternoon that university policy prohibits alcoholic beverages on campus.
Update: Trainor called this evening to clarify the above statement, referring to the following university policy on alcohol:
No alcohol may be brought to any event on campus or in organized student housing…Persons of legal age as prescribed by state law regarding alcoholic beverages may possess and consume the beverages in the privacy of their own rooms.
“There have been no changes as far as what will be allowed in the Hog Pen,” he said.
Trainor said a new policy to place restrictions on bags allowed into the concourse area of the stadium this year may have led to the report.
“We will be instituting the same bag policy that we have at Bud Walton Arena to comply with recommendations from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security,” he said. “I think that may have caused some confusion.”
As part of the department’s recommendation, Trainor said security personnel will also begin opening coolers entering the Hog Pen area in the outfield to check for prohibited items other than outside food and drink which have traditionally been permitted in the fenced picnic area beyond the left field wall.
“Outside food and drink will still be allowed, but only in that area,” he said.
From the new bag policy:
Bags are not permitted except those bags required for child care or medical conditions, and purses no larger than 14” long (side-to-side) x 10” wide (front to back) x 10” deep (top to bottom). All purses allowed into the stadium will be searched.
The Razorback baseball team will open the 2013 season at Baum Stadium on Friday, Feb. 15 with a weekend series against Western Illinois. The Hogs enter the season as the No. 1 ranked team in the nation by three preseason polls.
So alcohol has always been prohibited. People brought it in their coolers and it was overlooked but accepted by officials with knowledge that it happened. Now coolers will be checked for prohibited items. Sounds like a pretty big change. Only time will tell. Hope the gate workers are cool.
Staff note: Trainor called this evening to clarify his statement, and referred us to this policy on alcohol.
Thats not what I get from this article.. It says prohibited items other than outside food or drink,, I think maybe they mean guns, etc.
UA policy says no alcohol at any event on campus. Is Baum Field considered to be on campus? I think basically they’re trying to skirt around the issue, i.e. alcohol is okay, but we’re not going to outright endorse this.
Its always easier to ask for forgiveness, rather than permission.
Yes, your honor, I knew I was drunk when I got behind the wheel, but you know what they say about forgiveness …