Fresno State will make change to alcohol sales policies at Bulldog Stadium

Fresno State will cut back slightly on the time alcohol is sold inside Bulldog Stadium and explore a ban on fans who are involved in fights or compromise a positive fan experience following a rash of alcohol-fueled incidents at its game one week ago against Boise State, its first sellout since 2014.

“We understand that there needs to be an immediate addressing of that issue, which we’re doing, and we have been working hard as a university and with our leadership in order to do that,” athletics director Terry Tumey said. “But we also want to recognize the positive influences from members of our community who have done things the right way in terms of coming out and supporting Bulldog football and all of our sports.

“That needs to be stated, as well. And, we really do demand and need for all members of our community to respect one another as they attend games, as you’d hope in any public venue.”

Alcohol sales will be cut off 20 minutes after the end of halftime rather than at the end of the third quarter when the Bulldogs play their final regular-season home game on Saturday against New Mexico, Tumey said, giving fans at concessions stands time to get through lines and back to their seats.

Fresno State has had few alcohol-related issues since 2017 when the California State University through an executive order allowed its 23 campuses to reinstate the sale and service of alcoholic beverages at university-sponsored athletics events. The Save Mart Center, home to the Bulldogs’ basketball and volleyball teams, is not a state facility and has been able to sell alcohol since it opened in 2003.

And, before the Bulldogs’ game against Boise State, a 40-14 loss, the number of arrests inside or around the stadium was tracking well below previous seasons.

There had been no arrests for public intoxication and just two for disorderly conduct before the Boise State game, according to data compiled by the Fresno State campus police department.

There were five at that game, stemming from fights in the seats in the North end zone. The incidents were all alcohol-related, according to Fresno State Police Sgt. Carlos Frausto, the officer in charge during football games.

In 2017, the year alcohol sales returned for the first time since 2006, there were eight arrests by campus police for public intoxication, one for a minor in possession of alcohol and one for disorderly conduct.

In 2018, there were nine arrests for public intoxication and six for disorderly conduct. And, in 2019, there were five arrests for public intoxication and two for disorderly conduct.

Fresno State played two home games in 2020, but fans were not allowed into Bulldog Stadium due to COVID-19 health and safety guidelines.

Tumey said the university after the season would also explore the possibility of a ban on fans who have been involved in incidents at Bulldog Stadium and other measures to ensure fan safety.

“The events that transpired a week ago, we take those incidents seriously and understand that our offering to our community is utmost, in terms of their safety and those elements,” Tumey said. “If you look at the history of incidents at Bulldog Stadium, this incident rate has not increased. In fact, this year has been a very moderate year with only a handful of incidents. This one was very public and because of that we have to do something to make sure that we’re addressing this and affirm our commitment to our community.

“But Bulldog Stadium has become safer and safer every year under this administration and we will continue to provide that type of service to our community.”