MBB HOKIES 17-18 | MEDIA GUIDE

Known for its frenzied atmosphere, Cassell Coliseum has provided Virginia Tech with one of the greatest home courts in college basketball for more than a half century. Winning has been the norm in the facility since its opening in 1962. Cassell stands as perhaps even more exciting today than ever in its history. A facility long known for one of the great home-court advantages in college basketball, “The Cassell” now gives Tech opponents one of the most difficult environments in the Atlantic Coast Conference. In 2015, a new, exciting chapter for the venerable arena began, as Virginia Tech officials renamed the floor at Cassell Coliseum in recognition of a generous sponsorship of Virginia Tech athletics by Carilion Clinic. The financial resources from the sponsorship fund scholarships and strategic initiatives, as well as support public-health awareness. Beginning in the 2017-18 season, the court became known as “Carilion Clinic Court at Cassell Coliseum.” Last season, the Hokies saw increased attendance at Cassell. Tech averaged 7,476 per game—up more than 800 fans per game from the previous season and the largest attendance since the 2010-11 season. Five games sold out, including the ACC opener against Duke, which sold out in less than 24 hours and before tickets went on sale to the general public. The Hokies averaged 7,529 for home ACC games. Virginia Tech led the nation in increased attendance during the 2004-05 season, averaging 9,406 per game—the largest average attendance in Cassell Coliseum history. Tech fans broke that record again in 2005- 06, as the Hokies averaged 9,764 per game and once again in the 2006-07 season at 9,822 per game. Cassell Coliseum constantly undergoes improvements. Seventeen years ago, new state-of-the-art video screens were added. Four years ago, Tech officials replace those video boards with newer versions that reflect the ever-changing improvement in video technology. The new boards are larger and offer high-definition images for the fans’ enjoyment. In the fall of 2014, Virginia Tech officials invested in a new sophisticated sound system for the arena. The programmable system, combined with the video boards installed in 2013, makes for an exciting feature at games. Later that season, Tech officials added an enhanced LED lighting system at Cassell Coliseum. The lighting allows instant on-and- C A S S E L L C O L I S E U M @VT_MBBall @vthokiembb VTMBBALL 2