Knights Announce Plans to Manage Concessions.
May 22, 2015Corvallis to Lean on Local Partners to Enhance Food & Beverage Services for 2015
Corvallis Knights games have always been about more than just baseball.There's running the bases after the game, photographs with Mack the Knight and Lil' K (now Lil' King), and participating in the many on-field promotions that have made a trip to Goss Stadium "Affordable Family Fun" for the past eight summers
This year, there's more. Visiting the ballpark can also become more of a dining experience.
The Knights will control the Stadium's concessions for the first time in franchise history, under a new agreement with Oregon State. So, fresh, locally-sourced food and drinks have been added to the menu and will available throughout the best ballpark in the West Coast League.
"We are excited about taking over the food and beverage aspect of the game so we can enhance the fan experience, and be an even greater community partner by sourcing items locally," Senior Vice-President of Operations Holly Jones said.
"We will have a wide variety of new items available at many stations throughout Goss Stadium. We will strive to provide friendly, efficient customer service throughout the summer."
The list of local, quality vendors now partnering with the Knights reads like a who's-who of area businesses.
* Block 15
* 2 Towns Cider
* Spindrift Cellars
* Van Vleet Meat Co.
* Zenner's
* Cascade Produce
* Kettle Chips
* Valley Catering
* Coffee Culture
* Pepsi Beverage Co. of Corvallis
* Columbia Distributing (Springfield)
Deputy Director of Athletics Mark Massari said OSU is excited about its new partnership with the Knights, who have called Goss Stadium their home since relocating from Gresham for the 2007 season.
"The Knights provide great baseball and service to our community," said Massari, who will also be a Knights' host parent this summer. "With coach Pat Casey's vision, we shared a goal of making Goss Stadium at Coleman Field the finest ballpark in college baseball."
The Banners hospitality area down the left-field line will be transformed into the TnT Builders Party Deck at Banners for the summer (pictured the day before its grand opening). It will be available for private parties, as well as being open to the public throughout the season as one of two main concession outlets.
"The TnT Builders Party Deck at Banners adds a game-changing experience for groups and additional offerings for fans via a grill and enhanced food preparation space," said Jones.
Team President Dan Segel added, "Our fans are going to be pleased with more food and beverage service outlets and we are confident our concessions' customer service is going to improve with our enhanced partnership with Block 15 and new partnerships with the Linn-Benton CC Culinary Arts program."
"They are motivated to exceed our guest expectations."
Block 15 will manage beer, wine and cider sales for the Knights while students from the LBCC Culinary Arts program will manage food preparation.
Segel went on to say, "The TnT Builders Party Deck at Banners is going to be buzzing this summer, as well as the Block area down the first base line. And kids are going to dig our new candy station."
"I think I can speak on behalf of our staff and say we can't wait to get this season started."
The Knights open the season on June 3rd with the team's fourth annual PEAK Internet Science, Engineering & Art Day game, presented by the OSU Colleges of Science and Engineering.
Their WCL home opener is June 9th against Bellingham on Big League Chew Opening Night, presented by AmeriTitle. It's a rematch of the 2014 WCL Championship Series; the first 250 fans will receive a pouch of Big League Chew and Knights' trading cards, compliments of Rob Nelson of Big League Chew.