Rutgers Athletics Director Apologizes For Drinking Beer At Student Tailgate As University Ends Sponsored Event

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Rutgers University is ending a sponsored student tailgate before football games due to "safety concerns."

The Rutgers Athletics Department made the announcement on Twitter following Saturday's tailgate where up to 3,000 students showed up to an area called "The Alley" before the game against New Mexico, according to NJ.com.

"Regrettably, due to safety concerns, The Alley is no longer available for student tailgating," Rutgers tweeted.

"The Alley" was located in a gravel lot across from the Werblin Recreation Center, nearly 400 yards from High Point Solutions Stadium, NJ.com reports.

This comes after New Brunswick Today posted a video of Rutgers Athletics Director Pat Hobbs drinking a beer at the student tailgate on Saturday.

The video shows Hobbs standing on stage talking on a microphone to the crowd.

"No, I can't drink that right now. Hold on, hold on, hold on," Hobbs said.

After the crowd started chanting his name, Hobbs took the can of beer.

"I am of age, right? If they card me, I'm OK. Go RU," Hobbs said.

Hobbs apologized in an interview with NJ.com.

"My first concern is always for the safety and well-being of our students. Anyone who was at the (student tailgate) Saturday knows that I was acting to ensure that," Hobbs said, adding that it was a mistake.

Hobbs explained to NJ.com that when he arrived to the student tailgate he felt that the crowd was starting to get out of control when Rutgers police were issuing tickets. That's when he took to the stage.

"I regret that any action on my part can be interpreted as promoting the use of alcohol," Hobbs said. "That was certainly not my intention."

Rutgers initially announced on Aug. 31 they would sponsor a student tailgate section before games.

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