WORCESTER, Mass. – Holy Cross Athletics has announced it will introduce a pilot program for the sale of beer and wine at Fitton Field and inside the Hart Center at the Luth Athletic Complex for all home football, men's and women's basketball and men's ice hockey games, beginning with the 2021-22 school year.
Offerings will include a mix of domestic and craft beer, wine, hard cider, and hard seltzer. Sales will be available at six locations within Fitton Field and the concession area inside the Hart Center.
"The goal of this program is to enrich the game day experience for our entire community," said Director of Athletics Marcus Blossom. "Improving our food and beverage options at Fitton Field and the Hart Center is one of many enhancements our fans will enjoy. Beer and wine sales have been implemented safely and effectively at many collegiate athletics venues over the past few years, and we are certain that we can successfully execute this program at Holy Cross."
For home football games at Fitton Field, beginning with the home opener against Merrimack on Sept. 11, sales will start when gates open 90 minutes prior to kickoff and conclude with eight minutes remaining in the third quarter. Alcohol sales during basketball games inside the Hart Center will conclude after the first media timeout of the second half, and sales at men's hockey will end following the second intermission. Fans of legal drinking age with valid ID will be able to purchase one alcoholic beverage per person per transaction in accordance with City of Worcester regulations, with a maximum of three alcoholic beverages per person per game. A wristband system will be implemented to monitor drink limits, and alcohol will be sold exclusively by TIPS-certified bartenders.
Beer and wine sales in-venue have become an increasing best practice at collegiate sporting events across all NCAA conferences and divisions, with many institutions reporting a decrease in alcohol-related incidents and a significant reduction in game day binge drinking. The NCAA has expanded alcohol sales at championship tournaments with positive results, first allowing beer sales at the 2016 College World Series.
Holy Cross' pilot program is one of multiple game day enhancements built to better the experiences of Crusader students, faculty and staff, alumni, supporters and the greater Worcester community. Holy Cross is committed to providing a safe and enjoyable environment for all fans while serving alcoholic beverages responsibly. Non-alcoholic seating sections will be designated on both the home and visitor sides, while the athletics department will commit a percentage of the proceeds toward alcohol awareness programming on campus.
Season tickets for the 2021 Holy Cross football season are now available for purchase or renewal. Season tickets for men's and women's basketball and men's ice hockey will go on sale later this summer.
