In an effort to enhance the fan experience at home football games, UT will implement alcohol sales at Neyland Stadium starting with the BYU game on Saturday, Sept 7.

During the summer, a group appointed by Chancellor Donde Plowman has been developing policies and infrastructure to support responsible alcohol sales in accordance with all applicable laws. Throughout this process, the university placed an ardent emphasis on fan experience, safety, and security.

“I appreciate everyone whose efforts have helped us develop what we believe is a comprehensive and responsible plan for alcohol sales at home football games,” UT Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer said. “The game day experience at Neyland Stadium is historic and unrivaled, and I’m confident these new concessions options will aid our continued efforts to enhance that experience for Tennessee fans and visitors throughout the stadium.

“We remain committed to providing a safe, positive, and family-friendly atmosphere in our venues and have measures in place to assure that standard is met.”

In-stadium sales
Trained and licensed servers will sell beer throughout the stadium at concession stands and kiosks, excluding areas near the student section. Wine also will be sold in the Tennessee Terrace and East and West Clubs. Complimentary water will be available from large “Water Monster” tanks located in the concourse.

A maximum of two alcoholic beverages may be purchased per transaction, and fans are asked to be patient while waiting in line. Per Southeastern Conference policy, each alcoholic beverage must be poured into a clear cup upon purchase.

Beer sales throughout the entire stadium will conclude at the end of the third quarter, and alcohol will not be allowed to leave the stadium. Personnel at the gates will ensure that all cups containing alcohol are poured out and empty as patrons exit the venue.

ID required
Regardless of age, everyone will be required to produce a valid photo ID each time alcohol is purchased. Accepted IDs include valid driver’s licenses, military ID cards, passports, and government-issued photo ID cards.

Individuals consuming alcohol must be able to produce a valid photo ID at all times, as stadium personnel may ask to see an ID at locations away from the original point of sale. Anyone consuming alcohol must be able to prove—at any time or location—that they are age 21 or older.

Law enforcement
Law enforcement and game day staff will be trained and focused on alertness to binge drinking, underage drinking, and other potential alcohol-related incidents in all areas of the stadium.

Individuals will be ejected from the venue and are subject to prosecution if they pass off alcohol to a minor, attempt to use a fake ID, or are intoxicated.

A game day text-message system is in place for fans who request assistance due to inappropriate fan behavior or for medical or custodial issues. If such a situation arises, fans are asked to send a text to 69050, beginning with VOLS and then including their seat location and a description of the issue. They will receive a confirmation text and appropriate staff will respond.

Ride sharing and designated drivers 
On game days, a designated ride-share pickup area will be located on Circle Drive near Ayres Hall (not Circle Park).

Game attendees who visit the fan information booth at Gate 21 and register as designated drivers, pledging to refrain from alcohol consumption, will receive a wristband and a voucher for a free water or soft drink. Designated drivers can register through halftime and will be asked to provide their name, driver’s license number, email, section, row, and seat number.

Clear bag policy
Tennessee’s clear bag policy remains in effect for all athletic events. Additional game day info—such as parking and first-aid maps, permitted and prohibited items, and code of conduct—can be accessed at UTsports.com/gameday.

FAQ

Q: When did the sale of alcohol at athletic events become permissible for Southeastern Conference member schools?
A: At the 2019 SEC spring meetings, conference presidents and chancellors voted to allow campuses the authority to make decisions relative to the sale of beer and wine in public areas at athletic events. As part of the policy that was approved, all beverages must be served in a cup, and no more than two alcoholic beverages may be purchased per transaction. In addition, each transaction will require a valid ID. The SEC game management policy on alcohol can be accessed at secsports.com/article/26864537/sec-revises-conference-alcohol-policy.

Q: How did the UT arrive at the decision to implement alcohol sales at athletic events?
A: During the summer, Chancellor Donde Plowman appointed a group to examine the feasibility and review what it would take to responsibly move forward with the sale of alcohol while prioritizing student and participant well-being, safety, and security. That group also worked—along with the official vendor, Aramark—on the development of policy and infrastructure to responsibly implement sales in accordance with state law.

Q: When during game day will alcohol be available for purchase?
A: Alcohol sales will begin when gates open—two hours before kickoff—and will conclude at the end of the third quarter.

Q: Can I request an extra empty cup when I purchase alcohol?
A: No. In an attempt to discourage overserving and pass-offs to underage patrons, servers are prohibited from providing customers with additional cups at the point of sale.

Q: Is it still permissible to enter the stadium with an empty see-through container?
A: Yes. The containers must be empty and see-through (metal Yeti-style tumblers, for example, are prohibited). To promote hydration, bottled water will be abundantly available for purchase throughout the stadium, and complimentary water will be available from large “Water Monster” tanks located in the concourse.

Q: What should I do if I suspect someone near me has consumed too much alcohol or has passed alcohol off to a minor?
A: You can inform the nearest usher. You can also send a text—beginning with the word VOLS—to 69050, and include your seat location and a description of the issue. Stadium personnel will respond. The text-messaging system also applies to medical and custodial issues.

Q: When will alcohol be available for purchase at other UT sports/venues?
A: The university is still working through specific implementation dates for other sports/venues. However, no alcohol sales at other athletic venues will precede the Sept. 7 football game vs. BYU at Neyland Stadium.

UT Athletics

Quarterbacks Coach Chris Weinke

On Jarret Guarantano’s improvement:
“I think the more comfortable you get in this offense, obviously you want to see that continue to develop and grow. I’m pleased with the progress he’s made. He’s bought into our system. Obviously, with the addition of coach (Jim) Chaney and bringing this new offense in, does a great job of detailing it up for all our guys. Obviously, our position coaches take the next step and really we are just an extension of Coach Chaney. This is a QB friendly offense, but it also puts a lot of responsibility on the quarterback. He’s done an outstanding job of grasping this and continuing to make progress.”

On the biggest emphasis so far Jarret Guarantano:
“I think its consistency. Right? That’s the biggest thing. As we go through camp, there’s always little things that you want to continue to work on. I talk about consistency of your footwork, anticipation, decision making, all of those things. We track every throw that these quarterbacks make in practice every single day. So, there’s always a one; decision, did you go to the right place with the ball, two; was it on target, and three; what was the result. We can’t control the result all the time, but we can control where we decide to throw the ball and whether or not it is on target. They know that they’re being challenged every day, and I point out those little things. When we’re not on target, there’s probably a reason that we are not. That’s the consistency we are looking for in footwork, base, anticipation, decision making, starting point with your eyes. All of those things go into being an elite quarterback and all of those things he has done throughout camp.”

On keeping Jarrett Guarantano on edge:
“You spend a lot of time talking to him. I think the most important thing is you have to have a relationship with your players. Each and every guy plays a little bit different, they’re all wired a little bit different, they all learn a little bit different. I think in a situation like this where you have a veteran quarterback who has taken a lot of snaps and two young kids who have not taken a snap, the challenge is always this; you have to find a way to create competition. Knowing and understanding that he’s a veteran guy and is going to be our starting quarterback, just having that relationship, talking to him about ‘hey listen, you have to approach every day like Tom Brady is in the room and you are competing against him. Elevate your game on a regular basis.’ I think he’s done an outstanding job. The leadership that he has shown this fall is leaps and bounds to what I saw last year. He’s taking a step in the right direction and we need him to do that at this position. You’ll see a more vocal guy. He is very cerebral, smart guy who can understand a lot of different things. Can compartmentalize when he needs to. He is a functional thinker. I think what happens at the quarterback position because you have so many responsibilities and there are so many variables within the offense, sometimes you get caught in your own little box. I think he’s expanded his vision and his vocal leadership. You see him encouraging guys, you see him communicating better. There is a huge, huge emphasis on verbal and nonverbal communication, and I think he he’s done a great job with that.”

On the meshing of ideas with the coaching staff:
“Well it starts with coach (Jim) Chaney. This is his offense and we are an extension of him. It is our job as coaches to reiterate and continue to teach the things that coach Chaney wants us to teach. We meet as a staff and we know what is expected out of our players, he demands it. Like I said, we are an extension of him. We spend our time if there is any difference which there hasn’t been in terms of how we want to coach a certain player, those decisions would never take place in front of a player. We are all on the same page and I really have enjoyed working with Coach Chaney. He has laid the foundation and he has an idea of exactly what he wants to do and that helps us as coaches to be able to deliver that message to the players.”

Defensive Line Coach Tracy Rocker

On the state of the defensive line:
“Well, it depends on what day. Some days it’s good, some days it’s bad, but the thing is, it’s part of football and a part of growing up. We have good days and bad days. You do see potential. It’s like a roller coaster. You start and you’re like ‘oh we’re going to have a good one’ and then it’ll come down and then it goes back up. The biggest thing we’re working on is trying to be consistent and that’s the most important thing. I feel good that we are, but it’s part of camp, it’s part of growing up. We’ve got some young guys over there.”

On what he learned from Vol great Reggie White:
“One thing I learned that Reggie White said a long time ago when I met him. I met him when I was coaching at the University of Arkansas. Reggie White came and spoke with us and the first thing I said is, ‘How you get these guys to play a little bit older?’ He said, ‘You got to tell them they’re older. You got to tell them to act like you’re older, think like you’re older and not play like you’re a freshman.’ So that’s one thing I’ve never forgot. That’s part of it. Getting them to think older, play older, and mature and grow up faster.”

On the talent level of the defensive line:
“I love the talent level. What we got is what we got and it’s up to me and the defensive coaches to keep pulling the best out of them and keep working. Hopefully, while we’re in camp, we keep putting them in different situations so that they will be ready for the season. You’ve got to know when to push and pull, but also be demanding and also know, hey, it’s part of the process of growing up. The next day, they’ll come back and they’ll fight and then all of a sudden, the wheel will come off. Then we put the wheel on, let’s go again. That’s excitement and that’s part of coaching. It’s no different than you guys. You’re raising a family, you know what’s going on. Some days, that car is going right and another day the wheel is getting wiggly. Hey, we got to straighten it up and tighten up the lug nuts and let’s go.”

On junior DL Latrell Bumphus:
“The guy that has probably stood out, that we think has the potential is (Latrell) Bumphus. Bumphus has really improved. He’s improved run and pass and getting better as a football player… One, his body has changed. Bump was a tight end and he’s kind of been all over this team. For now, he’s at the defensive line. He’s playing defensive end and it’s been really good to have him there and he seems to enjoy it. He enjoys practice. He enjoys getting better. So that’s been a plus for me. He’s embraced it. I love him in the room. He’s a great personality, does well in school and he’s caught on. He wants to be good, so that’s really good.”

On Darel Middleton and the versatility of the defensive line.
“The biggest thing is up front, we train them all in multiple positions. Darel Middleton has been playing defensive end, but he’s also played three technique tackle. We’ve worked with him there also. Everybody plays everything. The thing about Darel Middleton is he cares. He wants to be good. He’s working to be good. The biggest thing is, we play multiple defenses here. There are a lot of words to it, a lot of concepts to it. Every day he gets a little bit better and a little bit more comfortable learning. Yesterday he had a really good day. Now it’s a matter of can we have a back-to-back day. That’s the biggest thing. We have a good day here, but let’s have it back-to-back, back-to-back. The more and more we can get that, the better we’re going to be.”

Running Backs Coach David Johnson

On how camp has gone for the running backs:
“It’s been really good. Our key has been really fighting going through camp or trying to practice hard every day, just trying to come up with a mindset of no matter what’s going on, what the weather is, we’re going to continue to practice hard, be strong and practice and secure the ball. They’ve been doing a good job.”

On the running backs taking advantage of their reps:
“I think that’s the most important thing, for our guys to continue to get reps. Although we have the two older guys in the room with Ty (Chandler) and Tim (Jordan), but those younger guys like Eric (Gray) getting reps, Jeremy Banks getting reps. That’s what you want. That’s the only way you can get better is being on the field.”

On Ty Chandler becoming more of a pass catching threat:
“He’s been working on it during the offseason. He’s been on the indoor, on the jugs machine, daily, all through spring, but that’s one of the things that he has to improve on. If we can get the ball in his hands in space, he’s really explosive.”

On the addition of Eric Gray:
“Yeah, I think Eric’s been doing a good job, he’s still a freshman. He has a lot to learn but his work ethic is second to none. He comes in like a professional with meetings and everything, but he’s been doing a good job in camp and Ty and Tim, you know, have really been holding that room together.”

On the running back group finding a role on special teams:
“Well, if they want to play at the next level they have to play on special teams, so that’s what we’re doing, you know, offense, defense and special teams. All those guys in there. Tim, he’s really been doing an excellent job on special teams, so you want your guys to come in and be a part of special teams and understand how important it is for us to be successful.”

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