Dispelling widespread myths associated with student behavior on college campuses, a nationwide survey of college students has revealed overwhelmingly that the majority of students “tailgate” safely and act responsibly at collegiate sporting events. The “2004 Safe Celebration Study” is the first formal study of its kind to gauge fan behavior at college sporting events as part of a collaborative effort to encourage and facilitate safe celebrations before, during and after games.

“We now have solid evidence confirming what we have known all along—that most students safely enjoy the excitement of intercollegiate athletics,” states Ronald Stratten, vice president for education services for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). “As we work with our members to encourage responsibility during the 2004-2005 collegiate sports season, we’ll use this data as part of a comprehensive educational effort to show that safe tailgating and celebrating by fans is the norm, not the exception.”

Students were asked a multitude of questions about both their perceptions of and behavior associated with sporting events, including tailgating, pre and post-game parties, and game attendance. The study’s key findings indicate that the majority of college students celebrate safely and responsibly at college sports events. Specifically, the data show:

• 93 percent say their behavior is responsible and safe during tailgating or pre-game parties;
• 91 percent of students look out for their friends during tailgating or pre-game parties to make sure everyone stays out of trouble;
• 87 percent of college students agree that attending college or university sports events is an integral part of college life.

In fact, misbehavior at college sports events is rare. According to the survey:

• 93 percent of students do not throw beverages;
• 92 percent of students do not fight with other fans; and
• 86 percent of students do not storm the field.
• (See complete summary of study results)

Respondents also reported following a number of steps to promote safe and responsible behavior at pre- and post-game parties. This includes arranging for designated drivers and transportation for those who may have had too much to drink, providing food for guests, limiting the number of guests at parties they host, and supervising guests’ behavior.

“This data will serve as an invaluable tool to show college students that the people they go to class with, study with, and attend sports events with, celebrate safely and act responsibly,” explains Michael Haines, director of the National Social Norms Resource Center, DeKalb, Il., and survey advisor. “When we show students evidence like this about how responsible the vast majority of them are, research has shown their behavior even gets better.”

The national study was done by Data Development Corp., Long Beach, Ca. In-person interviews were conducted with 986 college students ages 21-29 among a representative sample of colleges and universities within the NCAA football and basketball divisions. To participate, students must have attended at least one home football or basketball game in the past year.

The survey is part of a campaign by the NCAA, the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC), the TEAM Coalition, and Anheuser-Busch to encourage responsible fan behavior at college sporting events at universities across the country. The multi-faceted campaign, which is being implemented at the campus level, will be directed to students, alumni, retailers and the community. It will include such marketing elements as posters, advertising, the Internet and other tools to help educate students that they are, in fact, responsible when it comes to celebrating college sports. The campaign will also promote retailer training, designated driver programs and law enforcement and community partnerships.

The TEAM Coalition, Arlington, Va., is an alliance of professional sports, entertainment facilities, concessionaires, the beer industry, broadcasters, governmental traffic safety experts, and others working together to promote responsible drinking and positive fan behavior at sports and entertainment facilities. Jill Pepper, TEAM executive director, explains that the campaign will help expand TEAM’s mission of providing effective alcohol service training to the college environment. “The TEAM approach to alcohol management encompasses the full game-day experience to ensure fan safety,” she says. “This new survey data will help us re-emphasize positive fan behavior regarding alcohol use, and ultimately, reduce negative consequences and help ensure a fun, safe time before, during and after the game.”

Stephen J. MacCarthy, vice president for university relations at The Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pa., and NASULGC representative, emphasized, “This kind of public-private partnership is critical to helping make a difference in the fight against high-risk drinking on college campuses. Working together we can promote responsibility and do it in a positive, educational way.” Founded in 1887, NASULGC is composed of more than 200 member institutions and is the nation's oldest higher education association.

John T. Kaestner, vice president of consumer affairs for Anheuser-Busch, St. Louis, Mo., concludes, “We think this coordinated effort between the NCAA, NASULGC, the TEAM Coalition and our company can play an important role in getting out the message that the majority of college sports fans celebrate safely so we can continue to encourage positive behavior at sporting events around the country this season.”

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2004 Safe Celebration Study
Survey of 986 College Students Aged 21-29 in NCAA Colleges

June 2004

Attending College Sports Events

• 95 percent of college students agree that attending college or university sports events is a time to bond with friends.
• 94 percent of college students agree that attending college or university sports events shows school spirit.
• 87 percent of college students agree that attending college or university sports events is an integral part of college life.
• 63 percent of college students agree that attending college or university sports events is more enjoyable than attending most pro sporting events.
  

Tailgating Behavior

• Those who typically attend tailgating or other pre-game parties say they’re held at a friend’s house (56%) or stadium parking lot (30%).
• When tailgating, most people (82%) hang out with their friends (80%) or family (2%).
• 98 percent of students are aware of their surroundings and the people around them when they attend pre-game parties or tailgating.
• 91 percent of students look out for their friends during tailgating or pre-game parties to make sure everyone stays out of trouble.
• 96 percent of students always (81%) or frequently (15%) feel safe at tailgating or pre-game parties.
• 93 percent say their behavior is responsible and safe during tailgating or pre-game parties.
• 80 percent of students who drink at tailgating or pre-game parties drink responsibly and in moderation.
  

Game Behavior - Perceptions Versus Norms

• Most students (58%) think that at most games, fans fight with other fans. However, only 8 percent of students actually fight with other fans.
  92 percent of students do not fight with other fans.
• 49 percent of students think that at most games, fans throw beverages. However, only 6 percent of students actually throw beverages.
  93 percent of students do not throw beverages.
• 47 percent of students think that at most games, fans throw items onto the field. However, only 5 percent of students actually throw items onto the field.
  94 percent of students do not throw items onto the field.
• 45 percent of students think that at most games, fans storm the field. However, only 13 percent of students actually storm the field.
  86 percent of students do not storm the field.
• 35 percent of students think that at most games, fans destroy school or city property. However, only 3 percent of students actually destroy school or city property.
  96 percent of students do not destroy school or city property.
• 35 percent of students think that at most games, fans destroy others’ personal property. However, only 3 percent of students actually destroy others’ personal property.
  97 percent of students do not destroy others’ personal property.
• 24 percent of students think that at most games, fans riot. However, only 2 percent of students actually riot.
  97 percent of students do not riot.
  

Game Behavior

• During games, most people (88%) hang out with their friends (86%) or family (2%).
• 96 percent of students are aware of their surroundings and the people around them during games.
• 83 percent of students look out for their friends during games to make sure everyone stays out of trouble.
• 97 percent of students always (86%) or frequently (11%) feel safe during games.
• 98 percent say their behavior is responsible and safe during games.
• 82 percent of students who drink during games drink responsibly and in moderation.
  

Post-Game Party Behavior

• Those who typically attend post-game parties say that they’re held at a friend’s house (76%).
• During post-game parties, most people (88%) hang out with their friends (87%) or family (1%).
• 95 percent of students are aware of their surroundings and the people around them when they attend post-game parties.
• 92 percent of students look out for their friends during post-game parties to make sure everyone stays out of trouble.
• 91 percent of students always (74%) or frequently (17%) feel safe at post-game parties.
• 89 percent say their behavior is responsible and safe during post-game parties.
• 79 percent of students who drink at post-game parties drink responsibly and in moderation.
  

Party Hosting

• Most students (86%) who have hosted pre- or post-game parties supervise guests’ behaviors to ensure that all guests and property are safe.
• Most students (71%) who have hosted pre- or post-game parties limit guests to the people they know.
• Most students (68%) who have hosted pre- or post-game parties provide food for guests.
• Most students (62%) who have hosted pre- or post-game parties arrange for transportation for those who have had too much to drink.
• Most students (59%) who have hosted pre- or post-game parties limit the number of people attending the party.
  

Designated Driver Behavior

• 68 percent of students have been a designated driver or have been driven home by a designated driver for a home football or basketball game.
• 71 percent of students have been a designated driver (60%), been driven home by a designated driver (49%), taken a cab (23%), or taken a bus, train or metro (19%) for a home football or basketball game to prevent drunk driving.

Source: Data Development Corporation, 6/2004