Butler’s Hinkle Fieldhouse approved for alcohol sales

ZACH HORRALL | DIGITAL EDITOR | zhorrall@butler.edu

Butler University’s Hinkle Fieldhouse was officially granted an alcohol permit on Oct. 27, according to the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission.

The permit grants Butler the ability to sell alcohol at any event it holds inside Hinkle. As with all alcohol permits in Indiana, the permit is valid for one year and will expire on Oct. 4, 2018.

A spokesman for Butler athletics confirmed the permit approval and said there is no set timeline or game for when alcohol will be available for purchase.

Students who are 21 and plan to purchase alcohol will have their ID checked when they enter the arena and given a wristband. They will also have their ID checked when they purchase alcohol at the concession stand, according to Butler athletics.

Fans in attendance who are not students will only be checked at the point of sale.

At this time, it is unsure if Butler will limit how many alcoholic drinks students or fans can purchase during a single event.

The spokesman for Butler athletics said it is possible the university could form a partnership with an alcohol company in the future, but made it clear that nothing more than discussions are happening at the moment.

In a statement released in September when Butler initially applied for the alcohol permit, Barry Collier, vice president and director of athletics, said they have approval from the surrounding neighborhood.

“Butler has communicated this plan to those who live near campus and the permit application has been supported by the Butler Tarkington Neighborhood Association,” the statement read. “Butler is committed to maintaining the exciting and positive gameday experience that our fans and their families enjoy for all contests that take place on our campus.”

In an informal Twitter poll conducted by the Collegian, fans mostly responded positively to the news. Out of 287 individuals,81 percent said they were OK with the decision, while 19 percent disapproved.