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The first beer kegs could soon be tapped at concerts and other special events inside the University of Tennessee’s Thompson-Boling Arena, although school officials said the move in no way would open the door for future alcohol sales on game days.

Allowing beer sales at the arena would happen strictly in the interest of attracting larger shows to the recently renovated venue, said Tiffany Carpenter, spokeswoman for the UT Athletic Department.

“Primarily, it’s to bring in larger concerts,” she said. “There are absolutely no plans to sell beer at UT athletic events.”

In fact, the Southeastern Conference maintains an alcohol ban at sporting events among all of its member schools. Nevertheless, the change would set a precedent for UT’s otherwise dry campus. UT President John Petersen and other top campus administrators approved the change, Carpenter added.

The beer permit application, filed April 4 by UT’s contracted concessionaire for the facility, Sodexho Operations LLC, is set to be considered by the Knoxville Beer Board at its next meeting Tuesday.

Todd Boyd, Sodexho’s general manager, said he and his arena manager already have attended the Knoxville Police Department’s alcohol server training program and that all of his 50-plus staffers will do the same before the first brew is sold. City ordinance requires at least one manager named on an application to attend the Tennessee Alcohol Server Knowledge class before a beer permit is issued.

Boyd also has worked with KPD to draft a comprehensive plan to prevent underage sales.

“We’re going to make it tough,” Boyd said. “Really, really tough. Every ID’s going to be checked, regardless of how old you look.”

Boyd, who has 17 years in the concession business, said alcohol sales at college sporting events are the exception nationally.

“I can’t see it ever happening (at UT),” said Boyd, whose company has concession contracts with schools throughout the country, including Ohio State and the University of Texas. “Even outside my company, I cannot think of one facility that’s owned by a university that offers beer at sporting events.”

Still, he estimated that beer sales could create the potential to double concession revenues at some shows in the 24,535-seat arena, depending on the event.

Hayes Hickman may be reached at 865-342-6323.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.