I want beer.

Well, not personally. I’m not even 21 years old yet. But I do want beer for one specific purpose: to help build a better atmosphere at Huskie Stadium.

Unfortunately for my request, any NCAA stadium located on a college campus is unable to serve alcohol to its fans. But the lack of an obvious fan-favorite got me thinking, why not?

Games played off-site and major-bowl-game vendors provide beer, however the substance is never sold on college campuses. I understand that alcohol can, at times, be problematic. But in my opinion, the option to sell beer at college sporting events would bring more pros than cons. Of course, the beer sales would need to be regulated, but teams that play at professional stadiums seem to have things under control.

For example, when I attended the Huskies season opener at the Metrodome, I witnessed many students drinking beer without problems. Fans were able to purchase one beer per ID, limiting lawless action by underage drinkers. I’m not saying that some students didn’t find loopholes, and in no way am I condoning underage drinking, but with strict regulations, I think this can work.

With the added revenue brought to college athletic departments, schools could easily hire more staff to police the stands. These people would be looking for underage drinkers, and for those who’ve had a bit too much to drink. The rest of the beer sales profit could help the athletic department advance its program.

For the Huskies on a local level, the athletic department could use the money to upgrade the stadium. We just put in the Yordon Center to attract more recruits, but what about the field turf? It’s getting to be about that time where the turf is going to need to be replaced, and perhaps upgraded. Beer sales could help ease that cost.

Monetary benefits aren’t the only appeal behind this plan either. Attendance and fan participation are on the rise during the new Kill era, and beer sales could help bring more people in through the gates. In all truth, I’ve heard way too many students talking about leaving at halftime to go get drinks at the local bars. Why not? The weather in DeKalb isn’t always friendly, and local bars will air the games, beer and all. Maybe if Huskie Stadium sold beer, students would have extra incentives to bear the cold and cheer the team to victory.

However, none of that seems to matter. The facts are simple; the words beer and college students create hundreds of negative connotations. These labels make it hard for schools like NIU to sell beer for profit at sporting events. Despite the good that can come out of the sales, too many people are concerned with the potential bad. And the potential bad is what is stopping the NCAA from allowing schools to take charge in what they can and can’t sell at their stadiums.

All I know is that I will be 21 by the time the Huskies take on Wisconsin at Soldier Field, and I hope that I will be able to help the athletic department by purchasing an overpriced beverage that isn’t bottled water.