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By demonizing pleasure, we set ourselves up for unfulfilling sex lives.
Opinion: Let’s talk about sex
Published March 27, 2024

Tailgate lots ban kegs

Jimmy Snyder and his friends showed up to tailgate before the Sept. 13 Gophers football game, but were turned away from several parking lots because they had a keg. After many downtown lots near the Metrodome banned tailgating altogether last season, those still allowing it this year are restricting the use of kegs. Snyder, a civil engineering junior, said that having a keg in past years was never a problem, so he doesnâÄôt know why itâÄôs suddenly an issue. Selling beer out of the keg is the problem, Bob Fleming , owner of Premier Parking, said. âÄúWeâÄôre avoiding having the open kegs where they sell beer to whoever wants it,âÄù he said. Parking lots donâÄôt have liquor licenses, so tailgaters who sell keg beer to others are technically breaking the law, Fleming said. It becomes a problem when commercial vendors come in with the sole intention of making a profit, rather than enjoying tailgating before the game, he said. Political science sophomore Jose David Gallardo said that, when he was asked to leave a tailgating lot before the Sept. 13 Gophers football game, police told him the no-keg rule was in place because of the mess kegs create. Gallardo said he thinks cans and bottles will leave much more of a mess than kegs. Snyder said he heard the same reasoning, but he isnâÄôt going to let the rule change stop him from enjoying the tailgating season. âÄúI just changed what I was doing,âÄù he said. âÄúItâÄôs less fun, though.âÄù Marketing and retail junior Monica Lentz said there were kegs everywhere before the first game of the season but, before the second home game, kegs werenâÄôt being allowed in the lots at all. Before SaturdayâÄôs game, everyone just had bottles and cans instead of kegs, she said. âÄúNot letting kegs happen is just going to make people drink hard liquor or drink cans,âÄù she said. Although she was normally offered a free cup to drink from a keg at past games, this year Lentz said she is being offered free shots or mixed drinks. She said just as much drinking was going on, but she saw more hard liquor around than in past years. Gene Piehl , a parking attendant for Premier Parking, said he didnâÄôt have to kick anyone out for having a keg during SaturdayâÄôs tailgating festivities, unlike the Sept. 13 pregame celebrations where he asked three or four groups to leave. Fleming said his lots have always tried to restrict the sale of keg beer but, after some violators pushed the limit too far, the rule is being strictly enforced this year. No matter the reasons behind the rule change, Snyder said it is another item to add to the list of why a stadium on campus is needed. âÄúI am so excited to not have to worry about it next year,âÄù he said.

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