WCU to study alcohol sales at sporting events
The Western Carolina University Board of Trustees elected a slate of officers for 2019-20 and made appointments to several committees, including a new group that will study the possibility of future beer and wine sales at WCU athletics facilities.
The board appointed a new special study committee composed of a wide cross-section of campus and external community representatives to examine issues surrounding a recently approved state law that empowers the boards at University of North Carolina System institutions to permit the sale of beer and wine at athletics venues.
Board of Trustees member Tim Haskett will serve as chair of the 17-member committee, with fellow board member Kenny Messer serving as vice chair.
In asking the board for approval of the appointments, Kinney cited Haskett’s family roots in the Jackson County community and Messer’s extensive background as a supporter of the Catamount athletics programs.
“We want to do this the right way,” Kinney said. “We have no preconceived conclusion. We want input from everyone. It is our intent, based on the schedule, for the board to receive an update about the committee’s progress at our annual retreat in November and tentatively reach a decision at our regular meeting in December.”
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will begin selling beer and wine in Kenan Stadium this fall, while officials at UNC-Pembroke have decided against alcohol sales at campus sporting events.
