Kayla Culver
Like anyone else, football season gives me a unique sense of excitement and hopefulness for what will become of my favorite college football team. Swarms of fans gather at tailgates, sports bars, or host parties to support their teams on game days, whether it be college football or NFL. But in doing so, many fans become so caught up in the football frenzy that they lose sight of what is going on around them. Although the main focus of the football season should be on having a good time, gathering with friends and family, and escaping the daily stresses of life, tailgaters need to remain mindful that laws are still enforced on game days in order to avoid a party foul with legal consequences. These laws are three-fold: state laws, local laws, and if you attend the game, stadium or university laws. Think of these laws as a pyramid that you carry with you on game day. For instance, when attending a University of South Carolina Gamecocks game at Williams-Brice Stadium, these are the laws that apply to you:
Starting from the bottom, state of South Carolina laws; then the middle, local Columbia ordinances; and if you’re attending the game at Williams-Brice Stadium, University of South Carolina rules at the top of the pyramid. These laws are important to be aware of when you are out-and-about tailgating and attending the football games.
A sample of state laws that may interfere with your enjoyment of the football games on Saturdays are public disorderly conduct and driving under the influence (DUI). According to South Carolina law, a person who is found to be extremely intoxicated in a public place, usually acting rowdy or unruly, can be charged with public disorderly conduct and could ultimately be fined up to $100 or receive up to 30 days of jail-time. Also, like other states, South Carolina prohibits a person from driving a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. A first offense DUI comes with jail-time up to 30 days, a fine up to $1,000 depending on how intoxicated you are, and suspension of your driver’s license for 6 months. So, this may go without saying, but on game days, especially if you are entering the game, it is best to be aware of your conduct, your surroundings, and the amount you are drinking. The priority, alongside having a great time, should be your safety and the safety of others around you.
Moving up the pyramid to local laws, Columbia city ordinances prohibit walking around with alcoholic drinks on public property, and Columbia has its own laws that deal with disorderly conduct and public drunkenness. So, when you are enjoying that ice cold beer on game day, be sure that you are drinking where you are allowed to do so; otherwise you may end up with a buzzkill in the form of a $500 fine and/or 30 days of jail-time. Likewise, control your alcohol intake, as a charge of public drunkenness carries the same penalty.
Finally, if you are attending the game at Williams-Brice Stadium, the University has clear rules that prohibit things like alcoholic beverages, containers of any kind, inflatables (like beach balls), umbrellas, artificial noisemakers, concealed weapons, personal seatbacks with armrests, and bags larger than a clutch purse. The University is also a tobacco-free campus which includes a ban on electronic cigarettes. Football is about supporting your team; it is difficult to do that if you’re kicked out of the stadium for smuggling in contraband! But, while there are many things you cannot bring into the stadium, there are a few exceptions: you can bring 1 sealed water bottle per person and you can bring in a clear plastic bag or one-gallon Ziploc bag. So, take advantage and bring a water bottle to stay hydrated while jumping around to Sandstorm.
While some of these laws may seem like common-sense, having an awareness of the rules and regulations around you helps keep you and those you care about out of trouble, and it makes the city safer for everyone. There are laws similar to these in most states, localities, and universities or stadiums. While these laws are specifically about South Carolina, Columbia, and the University of South Carolina, it is important to be aware of the laws wherever you go.
Overall, the goals of football season are to have a great time, enjoy friends and family, and of course, to see your team succeed. So, take with you this knowledge of the law to have a great football season! And of course—GO GAMECOCKS!
For more information on South Carolina’s laws referenced above, please visit http://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t16c017.php. For more information on the City of Columbia’s local laws, visit https://library.municode.com/sc/columbia/codes/code_of_ordinances. For more information on University of South Carolina rules on gamedays for all athletics, visit http://www.gamecocksonline.com/ot/game-day-information.html.