Virginia Tech’s attempts to improve athletic department facilities will continue thanks to the generous donation of James “J” and Renae Pearson. The Pearsons’ gift jumpstarts a new $16 million project to renovate the Bowman Room for a completely new purpose.
“The new fourth-floor renovations and new nutrition/dining center will aid us in recruiting, enhancing the student-athlete experience, generating revenue and donor stewardship, and continuing the upward trajectory of our athletics brand at Virginia Tech,” athletic director Whit Babcock said. “We still have a way to go in fundraising, but J. and Renae helped jumpstart this project and we are ready to announce this initiative publicly.”
The Bowman Room will expand to 9,000 square feet, and there will be a seamless connection to the concourse of Cassell Coliseum. In other words, the wall between Cassell and the Jamerson Center will come down.
The new Bowman Room (which may not be called the Bowman Room anymore) will be used for donor/fan hospitality, recruiting efforts, graduation ceremonies, meetings, and other functions, according to Tech’s press release. The main function will be to serve as a nutrition/dining area for Virginia Tech’s 579 student-athletes.
The Bowman Room was built in 1982, and it is still used for Hokie Club functions before football and basketball games. However, it has no effect on Tech recruiting, and the size of the athletic department has outgrown the Bowman Room. The planned changes will help the athletic department cater to its fans, recruit new student-athletes, and provide for its current student-athletes.
Construction is slated to begin in 2018, but that is subject to Board of Visitors Approval and more fundraising.
For more information, here’s a link to Virginia Tech’s complete press release.
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I think our facility’s are awesome. Sounds like a lot of critical/picky comments suggesting to spend money for nothing.
I’m interested in seeing the floor plan after the “wall” comes down.
This is a much needed upgrade. I have been in there many times when you could hardly move around. I agree with HokieFanatics with the reason.
This is the first time I’ve said this about a construction project on VT’s campus. The exterior looks lazy and ugly.
Tend to agree. Exterior looks like an afterthought
Merryman has been a dog from Day 1.
Some more Hokie stone should do it.
this addition and upgrade is great, but work needs to be done on the interior of Cassell, somehow construct inprovements to Cassell concourse , wider and better food areas with better food, new bathrooms, more open look with large windows, TVs to show game better , and prime seats .
A new maroon standing seam roof to match.
If that roof doesn’t need to be replaced, don’t do it. If you want the color, that can be had with a silicone coating with a 50 year warranty.
I disagree in terms of being a higher priority. I have yet to hear a potential basketball attendee say they will pass because of the conditions of Cassell. All of them pass because Hokie basketball is just not that exciting (yet), especially if they are outside the NRV area.
Now, do I agree that a better coliseum, in many facets, would make for a more attractive destination? Absolutely. But that pales in payoff compared to upgrading the facilities mentioned in this article that not only attract better quality athletes (our #1 goal to begin with) but also allow to better host all of the gracious Hokies who donate to make those things happen in the first place.