Dist. 207: Should bars be sponsors?

Maine Township High School District 207 board members wondered out loud this week: Are sponsorships from sports bars appropriate at athletic fields?

And what determines if it's a sports bar or not?

Ultimately, a Chicago pizza joint that serves alcohol will get its sign at Maine South's football stadium but it won't be able to advertise “sports bar in its name.

Board members approved a sponsorship request from Paterno Pizza, 5303 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago, but only after district officials sent back the original proposed signage, which mentioned the sports bar.

The district already has sponsorships and signage from Buffalo Wild Wings, which could be considered a sports bar, board members said.

Barnaby's, known for “Good Food and Drink, is also a sponsor though that's known for being a restaurant.

Even Target, which donates some proceeds to District 207 schools, sells alcohol, said Greg Dietz, assistant superintendent for general administration.

“It opens up a can of worms, said board member Eldon Burk.

“The key is what is depicted in the ads, said Superintendent Ken Wallace.

So, board members looked up Paterno's website before unanimously approving its sponsorship request. In 1991, the original owners sold the family's adjoining liquor store to focus on the pizza restaurant.