Ann Arbor is buzzing with not just the anticipation of a new Michigan football season but also the newly introduced option to legally buy a beer—or two—at Michigan Stadium, colloquially known as the Big House. This Saturday, during the season opener against Fresno State, the stadium will unveil its alcohol sales operation to the public for the first time. The general manager of Sodexo at UM, Michael Jordan (and no, not that Michael Jordan), geared up his team to serve potentially over 100,000 fans with a smile and a wristband, provided they show an ID, of course. "Every time a guest will come up to purchase alcohol, they'll be required to show ID, even if they've been required to show it before," he informed CBS News Detroit.
With the mighty Wolverines set to break a new season, it looks like the stadium staff are also breaking the mold on gameday consumption norms. And to get things up and running consistently with parental supervision, around 400 imbibing enthusiasts have been onboarded to handle the pour decisions at 60 different sites across the stadium, each prepped to expertly pass liquor laws where the only fake outs allowed involve football plays. In a move to responsibly manage the flow of alcohol, service will kick off an hour before the first whistle and will wrap up by the close of the third quarter, according to ClickOnDetroit. And just to nip any trouble in the bud, the University has capped sales at a two-drink limit per transaction.
The Ann Arbor Police Department, not to be sidelined on game day, stands ready like a linebacker watching for the snap. Deputy Police Chief Patrick Maguire highlights the department's commitment to safety for all those participating in the revelry, stating, "We will have all hands on deck. Our main focus is to make sure everyone has fun and is safe." And to head off any game day confusion, officers will be equipped with lanyards that hold a QR code, whisking fans to an interactive guide with all the need-to-knows for navigating the stadium experience, reported by ClickOnDetroit.
