The Virginia Tech Athletics Department has announced it will install new seating in parts of every section of Cassell Coliseum, adding to the comfort and game experience for Hokie fans. The new seats will be installed following spring commencement and will be ready for the beginning of the fall 2017 volleyball season.
The new seats will be padded and will be wider than the current wooden seats. The new seats will also have cup holders. The current seats are the original seats installed in the coliseum when it opened in 1962. The new seats will feature the VT logo on each end of the aisles.
“This is another exciting improvement to Cassell Coliseum and for our fan experience. We want to make strides in that regard with Cassell every year; it’s home to four of our sports and provides a wonderful home court advantage for the Hokies. We are grateful to our friends at Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute for their continued support and commitment,” Director of Athletics Whit Babcocksaid.
Fans will be able to view and even sit in versions of the new seats at several events in the upcoming weeks. On Sunday, Feb. 19, fans attending the women’s basketball game against Virginia at 3 p.m. or the wrestling match at 6:30 p.m. against Nebraska will be able to see and sit in the new seats in the concourse. Other viewing dates are the Feb. 21 men’s basketball game against Clemson at 7 p.m., the women’s basketball game on Feb. 23 against Miami at 7 p.m., and the men’s basketball games against Miami on Feb. 27 at 9 p.m. and against Wake Forest at 4:30 p.m. on March 4.
Not all seats in the arena will be replaced, but every section in the coliseum will see improvements. The new, improved seats will be installed in the seating area from the portals to the floor and completely around the arena. Seats in the student section in this footprint will be new, but not padded.
During the last several years, Cassell Coliseum has seen numerous upgrades and improvements, most aimed at increasing fan comfort and enjoyment of the game experience. New state-of-the-art LED lighting, a vastly improved sound system, improvement to offerings at the concession stands and a popular tiered ticket plan have been instituted. Many of these improvements have come at the suggestion of fans and season ticket purchasers.
With the added width of the new seats, capacity at Cassell Coliseum will decrease slightly, but an exact number has not been determined, as the architect is in the process of optimizing the space to allow for the most seats available. The total number of new seats will also be determined at that point.
Cost of the project has yet to be determined. It will be visited at the conclusion of the basketball season. The Hokie Scholarship Fund per seat gift will vary. The associated minimum donation will depend on seat location, not on the seat itself. An approximate seating diagram for various levels can be found on HokieClub.com. Season tickets for men’s and women’s basketball will go on sale to donors and current season ticket holders in June. Check Cub Foods Ad and Dollar General Ad.
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If wood is contoured shaped, they can be vary comfortable as long as they are wide enough
What are they going to do with the old wooden ones? I want to buy 2!
Great to see upgrades in Cassell but would really like a reseating by putting 4 rows of students behind the press creating a louder atmosphere down on the floor.
Can’t wait for the auction to buy a couple of the seats as well.
Let’s Go…Hokies!!!
Time to whoop those Cardinals!!!
So My question is, how can I get a few of the original wooden seats for my Hokie room!!
The original seats are 55 years old. I wonder how the long padded seats will last? Given Americans have gradually gotten bigger it wouldn’t hurt to take one seat per row out of some sections in Lane Stadium.
Hopefully the new seats are wide enough to keep up with Americans ever expanding waist lines.
I was happy when they removed the ugly maroon-yellow-lichen green paint from the chairs to show off the wood. Gave Cassell a warmer feel. But the new maroon seats will help fill in the look of empty seats and be far more comfortable.
One thing I suggested to Whit was that we replace the existing rails (with their chipping paint) with brass rails, a la Cameron…could be pricey, but it would really make the arena pop. (Oak paneling along the lower bowl, with nice commemorative plaques? Hmmmm)
I would love to have breaks in the aile rails. That would improve the traffic flow.
I love the look of the wooden seats – along with the beams – although they needed to be wider.
The new seats look kind of “cheesee” to me.
I don’t think you’re seeing anything close to the final design. The text says cup holders, and the seats show in the photos don’t have cup holders.
I also think the VT in a while circle looks cheesy. I think the final design will look much better.
I think I see a cup holder on the back of the seat in the second picture.
Ah, I see it now. I was looking at the arm rests, but the cup holders are on the backs of the chairs. Thanks
I have to comment even if no one ever sees it, late, late, late. I think the VT and number are photoshopped.
Any cost over runs can be made up by auctioning the old seats. If nothing else, Salvage Dogs will jump on it.
Hokie fans will jump all over it, I think.
As a Class of 1986 grad, I would gladly purchase a couple of the old wooden seats…great memories from my days in The Cassell!
So, only the seats from the portals down will be replaced. Going to be kind of a weird half maroon / half wood look isn’t it?
You won’t see the maroon or the wood when the place is full.
Cost of the project has yet to be determined? Kind of sounds like “I don’t know where we’re going, but we’re making great time.”