sports_ Stadium booze sales get the boot By Doug Levy CM the Emerald In late June, Oregon Assistant Athletic Director Bill Byrne told Athletic Director Rick Bay he had a way to ease red ink flows in the University's athletic department budget. Byrne came to Oregon from a similar job at San Diego State University; his idea stemmed from his days as an Aztec. If the Ducks sold beer and wine at football games, they could move one step closer to a balanc ed athletic budget, Byrne noted. After all, he reason ed, his former school had done it successfully. Bay, not in any position to reject fund-raising ideas, listened carefully. “It wasn't a revolutionary idea," Bay said, "and if we hadn't needed money or been in tough straits financially, I wouldn't have considered it." But the department was in bad shape financially. With little help from the state, Bay and aides are "constantly brainstorming." The idea became a plan, ready to be converted into something "responsible," Bay said. That meant checking with other athletic directors on validity of liquor sales, setting up security to keep outside alcohol from Autzen Stadium, and getting a license from the Oregon Liquor Control Commission to sell beer and wine at concession stands. Fellow AD's assured Bay beer and wine conces sions could generate dollars. The University of Col orado netted $50,000 on beer sales alone in 1982. Bas ed on '82 attendance figures. Bay thought the Ducks could make $40,000. A security plan was a more complicated matter, Bay said. "Under University rules, we would have to keep other alcohol out of the stadium," Bay said. Security measures, still in effect at games, haven't prevented outside booze from becoming inside booze. r Still, crowd control actually improved when alcohol was sold inside stadiums. Bay found. “It's worked out really well for us," said San Jose State athletic director Dave Adams. The Spartans sell only beer at their football games. "As far as crowd control, we've had no problems, knock on wood." OLCC approval was no problem. OLCC officials gave Oregon the go-ah%ead to set up concession sales. All systems were go — or so Bay thought. On Aug. 26, University President Paul Olum withdrew Oregon's requests for a license to sell beer and wine at Autzen Stadium, citing "serious ques tions" about universities selling alcohol at athletic events and adding that the school was too hasty in assessing the situation. "I find it ironic.. that people can drink 40 feet away, but we can't sell beer in the stadium," Bay said. He was referring to a February Eugene City Coun cil decision to annex Autzen Stadium and allow tailgaters. In addition, the Stadium Club sells alcohol to alumni at football games. "If it's going to be a moral question, we shouldn't allow drinking, period," he said, again alluding to tailgater drinking. "It was too hastily done," maintained Olum. "These things usually require notifying the chancellor, faculty advisory boards, and the State System of Higher Education. And the public has a right to air its feelings — I don't think that happened." Olum said he was impressed by a letter from a lady active in Mothers Against Drunk Driving. The letter said by selling alcohol, the University could have a hand, however small, in a drunk-driving accident. "I'm very concerned about alcohol and driving," Olum said. "Alcohol is a poison, a drug. I realize we can't solve things by forbidding alcohol — the pro blem is figuring out how to control it in some way." I Resurfacing This long jump runway renovation is just part of $100,000 Hayward Field landscaping project. The entire inside field area will be redone, and sawdust on the inside of the track will be replaced with a Rekortan substance. Field resurfacing should be completed by spring. Photo by Steve Crowell Aussies bust US. sailing hold NEWPORT, R.I.