Hundreds of college athletics officials, including Ohio University football coach Frank Solich, signed a letter to the NCAA requesting a phase-out of beer advertisements in nationally televised games.
The letter, which is signed by 240 athletic directors and more than 100 coaches, requested a three-year phase-out of beer ads, which has become an ad powerhouse in collegiate sports telecasts.
Addressed to NCAA President Myles Brand, the letter cited inconsistencies between the NCAA's advertisement policy and its decision to allow beer ads.
The letter also took issue with the prominence of beer ads before, during and after college telecasts. Student athletes competing in NCAA sporting events should not be associated with the very product that causes them the most harm and is clearly not in their best interests
stated the letter, which also includes the signatures of over 60 Division I college presidents.
Solich was one of the four Mid-American Conference football coaches to sign the letter, which was sent to the NCCA in early August.
Running beer advertisements is contrary to what we teach our athletes about alcohol Solich said. While I agree with the letter in principle I understand the NCAA's need for financial support.
Solich pleaded no contest to driving under the influence in November 2005. He later tried to change his plea to not guilty after a toxicology report of Solich's hair tested positive for traces of GHB, which is known as a date-rape drug
but his appeal was denied.
While the letter focused heavily on ads during college basketball's annual championship tournament, only one MAC basketball coach, Miami University's Charles Coles, signed the petition.
The NCAA's advertising policy specifically prohibits advertisements for cigarettes, sports gambling, nightclubs, firearms and weapons, athletic recruitment services, NC-17 rated movies, liquor and negative depictions of any student athlete group.The policy also reserves the right to prohibit advertisements that do not appear to be in the best interests of higher education and student athletes. However, the NCAA allows commercials for malt beverages as well as beer and wine that do not exceed 6 percent alcohol by volume.
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Schaus said. He questioned whether the effort has enough national support among schools to pressure the NCAA to revise the advertisement policy.It is my sense that this there is not comprehensive support to likely ban beer advertising
said Schaus. -
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