STARKVILLE — Alcohol is coming to Davis Wade Stadium.
Friday, Mississippi State released its 2020 gameday protocols amid the COVID-19 pandemic, including that beer sales will be allowed during MSU football games this fall. Granted “resort status” following the Mississippi Legislature’s passing of Senate Bill 2253, MSU will become the eighth school in the Southeastern Conference to allow the sales of alcohol at athletic events.
Ole Miss was the most recent SEC school to begin selling alcohol at football games. Following an Oct. 19 loss to Texas A&M last season, the school announced its hospitality provider Centerplate had sold 15,400 beers for a total revenue of $128,000 at that game alone.
“This is another opportunity to enhance what is already one of the premier game days in college football,” athletic director Keith Carter said in an August press release announcing the sales.
MSU Athletic Director John Cohen previously told The Dispatch in November that alcohol sales at the school were a “never say never” issue.
“I can’t speak for (MSU President Mark) Keenum, and that’s ultimately his decision,” Cohen said at the time. “But I do know this: His primary objective, as always, is safety — that’s the most important thing to him.”
Also included in MSU’s release Friday were a slew of health and safety precautions that will be relied on to combat the spread of COVID-19. Among the measures, patrons will be required to wear face coverings during all movement throughout the stadium and when not able to maintain recommended physical distance from people not in their same household.
All guests, employees and stadium workers will be asked to conduct self-screenings prior to their arrival to Davis Wade Stadium. According to university guidelines, this should include a temperature check and review of possible COVID-19 symptoms. Should these symptoms arise after entering the stadium, patrons shall report to first aid stations for screening and/or triage by Emergency Service response staff.
Other in-stadium adjustments this season will include queued lines at all gates, concession stands and merchandise that follow social distancing measures, hand sanitizer stations spread throughout concourses, modified restroom layouts to allow more space for patrons and a transition to cashless payment for purchases.
Following a 6-7 season, MSU replaced incumbent head coach Joe Moorhead with former Washington State head coach Mike Leach. Leach’s first season in charge in Starkville is slated to begin Sept. 26 against LSU in Baton Rouge. The Bulldogs’ first home game is scheduled for Oct. 3 against Arkansas.
Ben Portnoy reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @bportnoy15.
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