Ohio State President Recognized by HHD for Tough Stand on Game-Day Drinking

December 13, 2004 — Dr. Karen A. Holbrook, president of The Ohio State University, has received the 2004 Presidents Leadership Group Award from HHD’s Center for College Health and Safety (CCHS) for her commitment to changing the culture surrounding game-day behavior and alcohol consumption at university sporting events.

The images of drunken college sports fans hurling furniture into street fires have captured the attention of the media and college administrators alike. With 1,400 American college students dying in alcohol-related deaths each year, innovative university administrators are implementing new strategies to curb excessive drinking and rowdy behavior in and around college athletics events.

The CCHS award, presented annually to a college or university president, recognizes Dr. Holbrook’s success in improving the environment at Ohio State where she continues to be an advocate for policies that diminish the connections between alcohol and college sports. Because of the firm stand she has taken against rowdy fan behavior, there has been a decline in alcohol-related game-day incidents at the university.

“Dr. Holbrook’s efforts to combat the alcohol-entrenched game-day culture at OSU demonstrate the depth of her courage and her commitment to this issue,” said William DeJong, director of CCHS.

Housed in EDC’s division of Health and Human Development Programs (HHD), CCHS assists colleges and universities in developing, implementing and evaluating prevention policies and programs that address a broad range of health and safety issues at institutions of higher education. The internationally recognized center also conducts research to expand current knowledge about effective strategies to promote health and prevent alcohol, tobacco, drug use, violence, injuries, and high-risk sexual activity.

“Dr. Holbrook’s stance was initially criticized by many who either weren’t aware of the extent of the problem or were loathe to change this culture of excess,” DeJong said. “Yet she persevered, knowing her efforts would improve the health of students, Ohio State’s fans, and the greater Columbus community while fostering a family-friendly environment. I congratulate President Holbrook for her courage to address and improve the culture at Ohio State,” he said.

Following disturbances at the 2002 Ohio State – Michigan game in Columbus, Holbrook convened a task force with Mayor Michael B. Coleman that included university and city administrators, students, community leaders, and representatives from the media and business. The charge to the task force was to address the root of the problem by developing policies, practices, and changes to the neighborhood environment to prevent future disturbances.

Beginning last season, local law enforcement officials have stepped up their enforcement of open-container laws on football Saturdays. Reports of assaults, vandalism, and physical and verbal abuse are down significantly -- much to the credit of Holbrook’s leadership and advocacy.

"I am truly appreciative of this honor, which I gratefully accept on behalf of the Ohio State community, administration, faculty, business partners, campus and Columbus police, residents, and students who have worked together toward the goal of changing the game-day atmosphere of our campus," Dr. Holbrook said.

CCHS established the annual Presidents Leadership Group Awards program to recognize a single college or university president who has taken an active role in addressing alcohol and other drug problems on his or her campus and in the larger community. The Presidents Leadership Group was established in 1997 to underscore the important role college and university presidents serve in successful prevention efforts on campus and in their communities.

With support from The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the nation's largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to health and health care, the award was developed to bring national attention to campus issues related to alcohol and other drugs, highlighting concrete ways presidents can serve as effective catalysts for change.

December, 2004