Does anyone have the link or know where I could find it when Cory Alexander
Makes the remark that Cassell was the loudest he’s ever been? I did a brief search on YouTube but must have missed it
72 Replies
3y
This is why we need to keep the Cassell.
** Edited by coshokie at 7/31/2023, 1:36:42 PM
(In response to this post by VTHokienation)
S
Stech
3y
(In response to this post by VTHokienation)
3y
Cassell is probably not impressing any recruits at this point
(In response to this post by VTHokienation)
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Stech
3y
Not the sticks and bricks.
(In response to this post by hokieinparadise)
When someone writes an 8 figure check. I’m being serious. In order to get
the Cassell reno officially going the program needs a donor, or a few donors collectively, to pony up a commitment with 7 zeros behind it.
(In response to this post by hokieinparadise)
3y
... dead set against it. Any major renovations would take 1 year and quite possibly 2 years. The basketball teams would have to play 1 or 2 years worth of games in Roanoke. That would probably prove devastating.
Remember, when the Hoos replaced their old bball playpen, the new one was built in a different place.
(In response to this post by BackInTheBurg)
3y
facilities. But I imagine even with that it would have to be shut down completely for one season.
(In response to this post by Atlee Hokie)
Thinking about this further is there a way to expand the east side of Cas-
-sell and connecting it to Hahn-Hurst? Widening the east mezzanine while connecting the new with the old and allowing players and fans alike to walk in between facilitates.
(In response to this post by Atlee Hokie)
3y
... but I don't think so. I think those concrete arches would preclude connecting with Hahn-Hurst in any way. I suppose expanding out between the arches would probably work in some capacity.
Any engineers want to chime in here?
(In response to this post by BackInTheBurg)
3y
(In response to this post by hokieinparadise)
3y
If we're winning, and the crowd is full and in full cry, it's an absolute snakepit for visitors. Freshen the concourses some, but leave the steep bowl alone.
(In response to this post by hokieinparadise)
3y
The few times I sat near the top of the arena I felt like I was constantly going to fall forward into the rows below me and I don't suffer from vertigo. The only other time I had that sensation is when I sat in the upper deck of the SEZ the last time VT played So. Miss in football. Given the steepness of both structures, people may need to start hiring Sherpas just to help them get to their nose bleed seats.
(In response to this post by Atlee Hokie)
3y
into Cassell? I hate to say it, because my grandfather started for teams in Cassell, but the perceived home court advantage that VT has is such an orange and maroon blinders farce...no one "fears" playing there by any means
(In response to this post by Atlee Hokie)
3y
You are way off base re opponents feelings on Cassell.
(In response to this post by hokieinparadise)
3y
time not in it...
(In response to this post by hokieinparadise)
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2hhoop3
3y
questions. Why and when should new arenas be built? Is recruiting really that much of a consideration? New or expanded revenue sources? Use and functionality considerations? Personally, given the cost of building new arenas I am not sure there are not other things that would provide more bang for the buck as opposed to entirely new construction.
(In response to this post by hokieinparadise)
3y
Basing off what uva did with JPJ and Uhall, Uhall had a similar affection to the fan base as Cassell had with a lot of the same things people aren’t the happiest about in Cassell (lighting, AC etc).
I don’t think I’ve heard one negative thing about JPJ and everyone has moved past Uhall but cherishes the memories.
I think JPJ was what allowed uva to take off. The facilities was a big part of getting Bennett and those initial recruits. Now almost every recruiting article on players mentions how JPJ stands out on visits 15 years later. Fan wise, I don’t think there is a single awful seat in the house. I’ve sat courtside, Sat touching the roof and had a great experience the whole time. The luxury boxes have pulled a ton of money in.
Additionally, it has served as a great revenue stream through concerts and events. Cassell is great, I’ve been there, but a new arena can do a lot of different things for a program and a town. Moreover, uva has put a lot of athletic department stuff in there such as dining hall, training rooms, classrooms etc. It’s boosted the whole department just as much as it has the Mbb/wbb programs.
I really think that if Tech wants to take that next step to a consistent high level - this is the step needed.
(In response to this post by 2hhoop3)
3y
Unless, horror of horrors, Lot 1 parking was used.
Can't play 2 years of games in Roanoke.
(In response to this post by wahoo2023)
3y
(In response to this post by Atlee Hokie)
3y
(In response to this post by Atlee Hokie)
3y
Plenty of land on the other side of US 460 By-Pass. For fans driving in to the game, it doesn't matter. For students and athletes, it does matter.
(In response to this post by Brewing_Hokie)
That’s true, but you want to keep it walkable for students IMO and w/in
the footprint of the *athletic complex*. So that limits the choices.
(In response to this post by Brewing_Hokie)
3y
Some walk, some take the campus bus, and some drive their cars (there is plenty of parking around the PNC Arena.) If VT built across the bypass, the students that wanted to attend would find a way to get there.
(In response to this post by BackInTheBurg)
I lived in Raleigh for 16 yrs. Why would you purposely build the Bball are-
-na further away from campus and less accessible to students. That’s just dumb.
** Edited by BackInTheBurg at 7/28/2023, 1:50:25 PM
(In response to this post by HokieJack)
3y
Two reasons:
1) They wanted a 20,000 seat basketball arena (primarily to keep up with UNC). That was too expensive for them (just like it would be for VT). I'm not even sure if they had enough space on campus for such a arena with parking. So, they worked with the City of Raleigh, who wanted to build a large arena to attract a NHL team. Therefore PNC hosts NC State baskerball, NHL ice hockey, circuses, concerts, and other events that you woould expect out of a large municipal arena.
2) It is beside Carter-Finley, their football stadium. Parking and plenty of room was already there, as was roads and all infrastructure for a large arena.
The downside of the above is that the arena is 5 miles from campus. However, that is somewhat solved with the massive amount of avalable parking and the busses that NC State uses to shuttle students to and from the games. When the weather is good, many students walk.
(In response to this post by BackInTheBurg)
Did you miss the part of my post where I said I lived in Raleigh for 16 yrs
I’m well aware of why they built PNC arena and none of those are good reasons to move the Tech basketball coliseum further away from campus. The Triangle, especially where NC St. is located, is relatively urban. There are close to a million people living in the Raleigh-Durham-CH area so they’re relatively used to a commute, even if it’s a short one, and for us to think that concert draws, etc are reasons to move in this direction is non-sensical. As you noted, one of the reasons PNC was built was for the Hurricanes and they worked with the city while also having a huge corporate sponsor in PNC. Whit has stated publicly they need a donor that will pen check with at least 7 zeros on it. None of that is happening here. Finally, to think that some huge, state of the art arena is going to change the trajectory of our basketball program, including recruiting, it ain’t. I’m with Chris. Paint it, see if we can expand the concourses and move on. And as I stated above if an architect can figure out how to connect Hahn-Hurst with Cassell, all the better. Oh, did I say that Duke plays in the equivalent of high school gymnasium?
** Edited by BackInTheBurg at 7/28/2023, 6:03:19 PM
(In response to this post by HokieJack)
3y
My friend is a big NC State fan and donor. He takes me to several football and basketball games every year. I can see with my own eyes the good student support at the games despite being 5 miles from campus.
I am not advocating that VT build any sports facilities across 460, but if the have to, based on what I see NC State students do, it could work. VT would have to plan for ways to help the students to attend like NC State did.
(In response to this post by BackInTheBurg)
That’s just it. They don’t have to.
(In response to this post by HokieJack)
3y
that goes underneath I-81 "aka Duke Dog Alley" and another one that goes underneath Main Street.
(In response to this post by HokieJack)
3y
Fields and field house. There’s tons of space that is walkable. Hell if they wanted to they could remove Stadium woods and create space for it. Or go outside the walkable space. 🤷♂️
(In response to this post by BackInTheBurg)
3y
Easy for students and athletes to get too.
(In response to this post by Brewing_Hokie)
3y
any available land is allocated for another use and structures are build on it. Part of the problem may be that VT decided to build all the athletic structures right on top of each other instead of allocating enough space for any future expansion.
(In response to this post by Atlee Hokie)
Yet, Duke plays in what’s the equivalent of a high school gymnasium
(In response to this post by wahoo2023)
3y
UVA was also in a situation with UHall where structural issues necessitated a replacement (remember the rubber bands on the roof?)... so there were different pressures.
At any rate, JPJ is great and works beautifully for UVA. But Charlottesville and Blacksburg are very different geographically, the locations of the respective arenas on campus are entirely different, and Cassell is a cool, old school venue that opponents despise playing in for good reason...modern bells and whistles are great but the very cool aspects we'd lose just aren't worth it IMO. Same reason they aren't rushing to replace Cameron at Duke...and why even NC State and UNC fans still wax poetic about their former arenas.
Cassell was built to last...and I'm glad it's staying put. Our players have a great practice facility, a beautiful nutrition/dining center, and a host of other support services ...all of which are interconnected and centrally located on campus...and then play in a loud and rowdy environment on game day that is easy for students and fans to access. Sure there are things we should continue to enhance along the way...but the whole package, combined with strong and substantive NIL opportunities, is pretty darn good situation for our student-athletes.
(In response to this post by wahoo2023)
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2hhoop3
3y
First, VT does not have a Paul Tudor Jones chomping to stroke that type check. Second, VT has neither the geographic or demographic profile to attract those concerts and events that subsidize that type facility. Third, the ancillary things that fit in JPJ, VT already has better existing facilities than. Fourth, the construction demands for replacing Cassell are different, and likely far more difficult than the UHall/JPJ decision. JPJ has been good for UVA and is a nice facility but, I think VT getting the same type benefit is a stretch and I think the money spent filling that project has exponentially better uses.
(In response to this post by wahoo2023)
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VTScoop
3y
of the Cassell situation. We (meaning VT Athletics) pretty much decided when we replaced the old Bowman Room with the SAPC, we were committed to keeping Cassell as a primary arena (for the foreseeable future). Not to mention, the Hahn Hurst practice facility is right next door and that is a beautiful facility that serves the men's and women's programs needs very well (and we continually enhance and put money into). The proximity of all that put together indicates where we see our basketball future. There is a real premium to Cassell, its purpose, its advantage, its location on campus, and its ability to anchor the athletics departments offices. Cassell, along with Lane, make our entire athletic region compact and very easy for all parties to get to and navigate. There is no doubt Cassell needs to improve the concourses, fix the exterior, and enhance a few other areas. But, to build a new arena would mean losing the proximity to its practice facilities/coaches offices/training areas/strength and conditioning areas, and nutrition areas.
(In response to this post by 2hhoop3)
3y
should read and consider your data points on this issue
when they consider: should we retain and update Cassell or
construct a new arena?
this should nominated for one of WS's "new epic posts" archive, imho.
(In response to this post by 2hhoop3)
3y
make the proposed renovations to Cassell, it will more than satisfy most VT players.
if you want a team of all 5stars, then buy them with NIL and keep improving Cassell.
the scouts will come to see superb players in Cameron which is smaller than our capacity.
if we build a great program, they'll be present here.
i've come to enjoy the cozy, bacon-loving, crushing home crowd and its advantage. you?
(In response to this post by 2hhoop3)
3y
to justify a huge capital project like that there have to be other revenue sources that can be attracted. Like the Patriot center at GMU, circuses, disney shows, monster trucks and crap like that. That's how you pay for the venue. a nice upgrade for fans and facilities that directly impact the players is how money should be spent if you can't attract those kind of events (which I doubt Blacksburg is going to attract).
(In response to this post by 2hhoop3)
E
EDGEMAN
3y
...neither a new football stadium or new BB arena will be as loud as our current venues.
(In response to this post by Vienna_Hokie)
3y
(In response to this post by hokieinparadise)
3y
But it's the atmosphere that makes it what it is.
(In response to this post by UpperQuad)
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VTScoop
3y
help illustrate the effectiveness of the arena.
(In response to this post by vthokieq)
3y
Even after 2 ACC bball championships.
(In response to this post by hokieinparadise)
Have they been pushing for that?
I remember the announcement, and went back to look for any updates. It's still the same thing, with no tracker on investments. I don't remember seeing anything since they announced either, which seems odd if they want $50m in private support.
(In response to this post by hokeyhokie)
3y
we "moaned and groaned" about having an inadequate, "old/ancient," non-inspiring, incorrectly sized,
non-AC'ed, incapable of expansion, not adaptable for many non-sports entertainment events, non-JPJ facility.
after watching - or rather - not seeing any promotion of the Cassell Renovation Project and
not seeing any fund raising campaign or updates on funds pledged,
i've just about reached the conclusion that the Cassell Renovation Project has not met
with approval by any major benefactor, or consortium of median benefactors, and has
therefore been relegated to a "dead file" somewhere out-of-sight (see end of Raiders of the Lost Ark).
with our lack of initial major satisfaction, acclaim and designated contributions:
the Cassell Renovation Project shriveled to a once-announced, but now inconsequential
"dream concept" that pacified us for now.
(In response to this post by hoosnowahokie)
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RJHokie
3y
to the point where it became an economic and fund raising issue, plus the basketball coaches didn’t want to play home games in Roanoke while it was ongoing.
(In response to this post by HtownHokie)
Yes, they were pushing for it.
Then the cost of building went way up, and then NIL happened, so the priorities changed.
It's not going to get built the way it was originally envisioned because it would require one, or maybe even two years, of playing in Roanoke. Nobody wants that. It would be bad for the program. So whenever it happens we're likely to see a scaled back, cheaper version.
For me, just paint that dirty, ugly roof, widen the east and west concourses, and just dress things up a bit. Then call it a day.
(In response to this post by hoosnowahokie)
That is kind of what was proposed and cost $75mm. Maybe you take out the
club portion but that was a revenue source.
(In response to this post by Chris Coleman)
3y
boxes with elevator access for those who want to contribute the high dollars.
(In response to this post by Chris Coleman)
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stevie50
3y
Couldn't agree more, maybe slap some Hokie Stone around...
(In response to this post by Chris Coleman)
3y
I could see a major remodel though like Ga Tech and Clemson have done.
(In response to this post by hokieinparadise)
3y
(In response to this post by hokieinparadise)
3y
Its a college town. There is no need for a 'new' arena like NCSU. They use that for many other ventures as it is in a major populous city. Economics 101.
** Edited by IronHokie at 7/26/2023, 6:29:43 PM
(In response to this post by hokieinparadise)
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RJHokie
3y
Another $30 to $50 million might be required.
(In response to this post by IronHokie)
