| Cassell Coliseum is constantly undergoing
improvements. Three years ago, new state-of-the-art video screens were
added and two years ago, each seat in the arena was refinished to a
natural wood look. Recently the athletics department completed step one
of a three step process to renovate and improve the ambulatory of the
coliseum. |
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Restoration and sealing of the exterior concrete walls and
buttresses of Cassell Coliseum took place in 1997. Roof repair was
completed in the fall of 1996, with replacement of the roof surface and
installation of structural access to the heating and lighting systems as
well as installation of steel beams in the top of the arena.
The men's basketball team was given a gift from Pat and Sandy Cupp of
Blacksburg, Va. The gift was used for renovation of the men's basketball
locker room which is now the Bill Foster Basketball Suite, named after
one of Tech's most successful men's basketball coaches.
Entering the 2003-2004 season, the Hokies have won 409 out of 528 games
played in Cassell, for a winning percentage of .775.
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Resources
 2005-2006
Media Guide
2004-2005
Media Guide
2003-2004
Media Guide
2002-2003
Media Guide
2001-2002
Media Guide
2000-2001
Media Guide
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During the
1994-95 season, Cassell was the site of high excitement as the
Hokies hosted two of the National Invitation Tournament games, en
route to the championship. The Hokies beat Clemson in a first-round
game at the Coliseum, then scored an emotional 64-61 third-round win
over New Mexico State, turning the arena into a madhouse. |
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The first basketball game was played in the Coliseum on
January 3,1962 as the Hokies routed Alabama, 91-67. The near-capacity
crowd had to sit on the concrete floor to watch the initiation of the
new building because the seats had not arrived.
There have been four perfect season records for the Hokies in Cassell:
two 10-0 years (1961-62 and 1965-66), an 11-0 campaign (1972-73) and a
14-0 season (1975-76). The Hokies have lost only one game on their home
court in 11 other years, including 13-1 records in 1977-78 and 1987-88.
State rivals have had little success playing the Hokies in Cassell,
winning only 12 of 108 visits. Tech won both games against commonwealth
of Virginia opponents last season. |
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On September 17, 1977, Virginia Tech officials and friends
dedicated the Coliseum in honor of the late Stuart K. Cassell.
Adjacent to Cassell Coliseum is the Jamerson Athletic Center. Completed
in 1982 and dedicated in the fall of 1983, it is named in honor of J.E.
Jamerson and his son, William E. Jamerson, owners of the firm that built
the building.
The complex contains administrative and coaching offices, athletic
department accounting and business offices, team and coaches' meeting
rooms, the Jim "Bulldog" Haren Weight Room and the Gordon D. Bowman
Memorial Club Room on the top floor for Hokie Club members.
Prior to the 1988-89 season, a modern, spring-loaded playing floor was
installed in the Coliseum. During the fall of 1989, the facility was
upgraded with an improved lighting system in the arena.
Construction for the main portion of the Coliseum began in 1961. It was
completed in December 1964, at a cost of $2.7 million. Built by T.C.
Brittain and Company of Decatur Ga., it houses a 10,052-seat basketball
arena, locker rooms, two auxiliary gymnasiums, offices and other
athletic facilities.
Although capacity crowds are a frequent occurrence in Cassell Coliseum,
the largest crowd ever recorded was an overflow of 11,500 for Purdue on
December 3, 1966. |
