News: Club Blue at Cintas

[coasterville95]

Seems to be the day to discuss all the changes this year that don't involve the basketball court:

Just got a Tweet about this:


CINCINNATI - Xavier Athletics is excited to announce the opening of Club Blue at Duff's. New for the 2009-10 men's basketball season, this hospitality area is exclusively for Premium Seat ticket holders.

Located inside the James & Caroline Duff Banquet Center on the concourse level of Cintas Center, this select area affords premium seat holders a festive Xavier atmosphere where they can enjoy fun, food and games from the time doors open until tip-off.

Club Blue at Duff's offers two beverage stations serving beer, wine and non-alcoholic drinks a la carte, allowing patrons to grab a quick pregame drink. In addition, Xavier Dining will offer an all-you-can eat buffet for $15.95 per person. Kids under the age of 12 will be able to eat for $8.95. This specialty menu will be unique to Club Blue and will not be offered in other areas of Cintas Center for purchase. The menu will change each game (see below) and there will be a special brunch buffet offered for the Dayton game and a special Ash Wednesday buffet for the St. Joe's game.

Club Blue also features fun and games for Xavier fans of all ages including cornhole, a video gaming station, and a fan photo area. In addition, there will be several TVs to keep up with all the college basketball action from around the country.

2009-10 Xavier Men's Basketball Club Blue Menu:

Friday, November 13th, 7:30 PM vs. Youngstown State - Italian Chopped Salad, Garlic Focaccia Bread, Baked Ziti, Italian Sausage, Peppers & Onions, Fresh Vegetable Medley, Chocolate Cake

Tuesday, November 17th, 7:30 PM vs. Bowling Green - Coleslaw, Fried Chicken, Southern Style Green Beans, Corn on the Cob, Macaroni & Cheese, Brownies

Saturday, November 21st, 7:30 PM vs. Sacred Heart - Mesclun Greens w/Feta Cheese, Walnuts, Craisins & Raspberry Vinaigrette, Broccoli w/Roasted Lemon, Rosemary & Garlic Oven Roasted Potatoes, Carved Turkey London Broil, Rolls & Butter, Carrot Cake

Friday, December 4th, 7:30 PM vs. Kent State - Caesar Salad, Roast Beef w/Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Carrots, Rolls & Butter, Assorted Cookies

Sunday, December 13th, 7:00 PM vs. Cincinnati - BLT Ranch Salad, Saratoga Chips w/BBQ Sauce, Pulled Pork BBQ w/Buns, Baked Beans, Macaroni & Cheese, Cream Cheese Brownies

Wednesday, December 23rd, 7:00 PM vs. Miami (Ohio) - Italian Chop Salad, Garlic Focaccia Bread, Baked Ziti, Italian Sausage, Peppers & Onions, Fresh Vegetable Medley, Chocolate Cake

Tuesday, December 29th, 7:00 PM vs. LSU - Coleslaw, Fried Chicken, Southern Style Green Beans, Corn on the Cob, Macaroni & Cheese, Brownies

Wednesday, January 13th, 7:30 PM vs. Charlotte - Mesclun Greens w/Feta Cheese, Walnuts, Craisins & Raspberry Vinaigrette, Broccoli w/Roasted Lemon, Rosemary & Garlic Oven Roasted Potatoes, Carved Turkey London Broil, Rolls & Butter, Carrot Cake

Saturday, January 16th, 11:00 AM vs. Dayton (SPECIAL BRUNCH MENU) - Scrambled Eggs, Sausage, Home Fries, Waffles & Syrup, Assorted Danishes & Pastries, Donuts

Saturday, January 23rd, 6:00 PM vs. Rhode Island - Caesar Salad, Roast Beef w/Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Carrots, Rolls & Butter, Assorted Cookies

Thursday, January 28th, 7:00 PM vs. Duquesne - BLT Ranch Salad, Saratoga Chips w/BBQ Sauce, Pulled Pork BBQ w/Buns, Baked Beans, Macaroni & Cheese, Cream Cheese Brownies

Sunday, January 31st, 2:00 PM vs. Fordham - Italian Chop Salad, Garlic Focaccia Bread, Baked Ziti, Italian Sausage, Peppers & Onions, Fresh Vegetable Medley, Chocolate Cake

Wednesday, February 17th, 7:30 PM vs. St. Joseph's (SPECIAL ASH WEDNESDAY MENU) - Greek Salad, Talapia, Vegetable Lasagna, Orzo Confetti, Mixed Vegetables, Cheesecake Squares

Sunday, February 28th, 1:00 PM vs. Richmond - Coleslaw, Fried Chicken, Southern Style Green Beans, Corn on the Cob, Macaroni & Cheese, Brownies

Saturday, March 6th, 4:00 PM vs. St. Bonaventure - Mesclun Greens w/Feta Cheese, Walnuts, Craisins & Raspberry Vinaigrette, Broccoli w/Roasted Lemon, Rosemary & Garlic Oven Roasted Potatoes, Carved Turkey London Broil, Rolls & Butter, Carrot Cake

Not sure how I feel about this, on one hand it is a big improvement to Duff's. On the other hand, sometimes I like to sit in Duff's and just drink a beer, watch ESPN and talk with the friends we have developed over the years for pre game socializing. If I can enter Duff's but opt OUT of the buffet I am all for it, if the purchase of the buffet is required to even enter Duff's, I call FOUL.

[Muskie1000]

I call foul even more if only premium season ticket holders can gain entry. Last year, I was told, that if you had season tickets you could go - but now that option looks out.

[Jumpy]

That's quite the menu, though.

[Frank D.]

I noticed the Youngstown St. menu consists solely of Italian foods. That's about right.

[Xaveriana]

Still no liquor like the Club Seat Ticket Holder's Joesph Club. Boo!!!

Unfortunately, this is the only extra benefit afforded the Premium Seat Ticket Holders for the exorbitant "donation" we are charged each year.
Of course, I'm complaining, but refuse to give up my seats as my wife would like.

"Honey, we don't need a vacation."
"Honey, Suzy doesn't need braces."
"Honey, we don't need to eat."

[Xaveriana]

I noticed the Youngstown St. menu consists solely of Italian foods. That's about right.

Ha yu do'in? Those guys are friend on mine. Or are they friends of ours?

[drudy23]

So, is this Cafe Blue in addition to the Skyline and LaRosas they normally sell?

Seems they wouldn't cut out their sponsors selling their product?

I'm fine with two slices of pizza...don't need all this fancy stuff. Who wants to spend $15.95 on dinner (and an additional $9 for kids) at a basketball game? That's more expensive than a normal night out to eat.

Bad idea....and I agree...it's a good place to chill out before the game starts. There's really no reason to go in if you're not going to eat there. Kind of takes away the "priviledge" of being able to enter.

Just too damn expensive...people don't look for, expect, or want that type of meal at a basketball game.

[coasterville95]

drudy23, you just stated my feeling exactly. My whole opinion on this will hinge on if purchase of the meal is required to enter Club Blue. They way I also read it is that beverages - including non-alocholic ones are extra. So at $3 for a bottle of Coke, you are looking at $19/adults, $12/kids. I'm not as worried about the type of food being offered, becuase it gives people to eat a more hearty, non junk food meal, I'm just concerned the price point is too high.

Last year they tried a similar program, $9 adults, $6 kids, go through the line once, get up to one portion of each item. I thought that was high, and apprently so did a lot of other people, since I saw more traffic at the LaRosa and Skyline stands than I did for the "Duff's Tailgate" Not only that, the quality of some of those tailgate meals was questionable.

I'm almost nostalgic for my first two years as a passholder, going in there, and getting a philly steak, wings, or pull pork for $5 that included chips, maybe $1 for a jumbo cookie or the worlds largest Rice Krsipy Treat, wahsed down with a $5 beer. That's $11. Last years "Duff's Tailgate Meal" was $9+$6 = $15, but I could still get the pizza or coneys if I wanted. Now you are asking me for $16+$6 = $22.

I can eat a nice meal at Max and Erma's or Fridays or similar for that kind of money.

The jumbo cookies are back, now sold on the concourses for $2.50.

[THRILLHOUSE]

Yeah this sounds like a bad idea. For the most part I liked duffs the way it was, if its not broke why fix it? I just want to go hang out, grab a couple of slices, have a drink and watch whatever is on espn until tip off. If this buffet thing is the only option then I'm out.