When the Merryman Center opened in 1998, it was one of the newest and most modern facilities in the country. Built at a cost of $10.6 million, it represented Virginia Tech's willingness to continue to grow their athletics department following back-to-back Big East titles and trips to the Sugar Bowl and the Orange Bowl.
That was just 17 years ago, but it might as well have been three decades in the rear view mirror. Things move extremely fast in college football these days. Programs are especially inclined to spend a ton of money on improvements to facilities. The Hokies have done that in all facets, with an expanded Lane Stadium, the Hahn-Hurst Basketball Practice Facility, an Indoor Practice Facility for football, a new locker room, etc.