Spikes to partner with Professional Sports Catering

The State College Spikes have announced a new partnership that will significantly enhance the food and beverage experience for fans attending events at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. The franchise has partnered with Professional Sports Catering, LLC (PSC) to manage the concessions and catering operations for all ballpark events, including State College Spikes and Penn State University baseball games, PSU Football Saturdays and other special events.

PSC is the only full-service food and beverage company that focuses exclusively on Minor League Baseball ballparks. Currently, the company has partnerships with over a dozen MiLB franchises across the country. PSC was launched in 2005 by Tom Dickson and his partner Sherrie Myers, who are successful Minor League Baseball franchise owners with the award-winning Lansing (MI) Lugnuts and Montgomery (AL) Biscuits. Their unique approach not only centers on delivering quality food options with the freshest ingredients, but they focus on making food and beverage the centerpiece of the overall ballpark experience.

"This new partnership with PSC is a significant improvement to the already fun and affordable experience offered on Spikes game days, and during all events held here at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park," said Jason Dambach, Vice President & General Manager of the State College Spikes. "PSC brings a refreshing approach to the ballpark food and beverage experience. Because their roots are in Minor League Baseball, they understand how integral the tastes and smells of the ballpark are to the customer's enjoyment of the game, and have a proven track record in producing quality selections and exceptional service."

The arrangement with PSC will also allow the Spikes to employ a full-time, year-round concessions and catering staff, which will enable the club to better serve client needs 12 months a year. Kyle Lindquist, a native of Michigan, has joined the club's front office staff as Director of Food & Beverage. Lindquist spent the 2011 season as F&B Director for the High Desert (CA) Mavericks of the Class-A Advanced California League. Kyle also has experience with MiLB franchises in Montgomery and Oklahoma City, and with an independent league franchise in Laredo, Texas.

"We are excited to be partnering with a well-run organization like the Spikes," said Tom Dickson, CEO of PSC. "Their customer friendly atmosphere will align nicely with our principles. We look forward to provide fresh, high quality food options to all Spikes fans."

The Spikes and PSC are currently working on plans to rejuvenate the ballpark's food and beverage experience starting with the 2012 season and will be announcing exciting new ideas and changes soon.

The first public ballpark event for the 2012 season will take place on Wednesday, March 21, when Penn State opens its home slate against the University of Pittsburgh. The Nittany Lions will host a total of 21 games at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park during the 2012 NCAA Baseball season, including series against Big Ten rivals Indiana (March 23-25), Michigan (April 13-15), Ohio State (April 27-29) and Illinois (May 11-13).

Fun, affordable family entertainment and future Major League Baseball stars will return to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on Tuesday, June 19 for the first of 38 shows during the Spikes' 2012 New York-Penn League season.