Jun 12, 2009 6:19 pm US/Central
Hockey Legend Lou Nanne Upset With 'U' Booze Ban
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) ―
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"I'm not concerned about drinking at the game and I still have the premium seats. But I am worried about the ability of the University to generate income," said Lou Nanne.
CBS
Come fall, there will be football on campus at the U of M, but there probably won't be any beer unless someone smuggles it in.
University President Robert Bruininks gave his recommendation to the regents: no alcohol in TCF Bank Stadium and not in Mariucci or Williams Arenas, either.
The Legislature and the Governor had given the University an ultimatum -- sell alcohol stadium-wide or don't sell it at all.
The decision to ban booze at University sports events was a real talker on Michele Tafoya's WCCO-AM Radio show Friday.
"Wait until they find out how many of the people who spent a lot of money on premium seats and suites are not happy about this," said Tafoya.
Lou Nanne is a Minnesota hockey legend. He can't believe his alma mater is banning booze.
"It's a far more reaching effect than people ever gave thought to it," said Nanne.
"It's not going to affect me because I don't -- I'm not concerned about drinking at the game, and I still have the premium seats. But I am worried about the ability of the University to generate income," he continued.
Nanne's not mad at President Bruininks. None of the Big Ten schools sell alcohol stadium-wide. Nanne's mad at the Legislature.
"The guys that are involved in this bill and voted, I don't think gave it five minutes of thought. I'd like to spend the rest of the year debating them and if I was younger, I think I'd even go and run against them," said Nanne, who is 68 years old.
The alcohol decision affects more than the new stadium.
"I just had coffee with three guys that have suites at the hockey games, and now they're concerned about not being able to supply their clients with a beer at a hockey game, so now they're talking about dropping their suites," said Nanne.
For its part, The University is trying to do damage control. In an e-mail to premium season ticket holders, Athletic Director Joel Maturi wrote:
"I know some of you will be disappointed by this change." He said he hoped they'll "ultimately realize that given our options, this was the best, the only choice, for this University."
On campus, some University students praised their president for what they said was a gutsy decision.
"I think the legislature kind of put them in a bind," said one student. "I feel like if the school is worried about underage drinking, then there's not much they can do."
Only a few ticketholders have asked about cancelling, but there have also been calls of support for the alcohol policy change.
Paula Engelking, Producer
Contact Paula
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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