CASSELL COLISEUM

2717-D

Cassell Coliseum is a 10,052-seat multi-purpose arena in Blacksburg, Virginia, United States that opened in 1961. It is home to the Virginia Tech Hokies basketball teams (men's and women's).

Built as a replacement for the much smaller War Memorial Gymnasium, the Coliseum's construction began in 1961. It was completed in December 1964 at a cost of $2.7 million. Originally just referred to as "the Coliseum," it was dedicated on September 17, 1977 to the late Stuart K. Cassell, former school business manager, first Vice President of Administration, and major supporter of the building of the arena.

The first game, however, was on January 3, 1962. The Hokies played Alabama. The Hokies won 91-67. Unfortunately, the crowd sat on the concrete floor to watch the game because the seats had not arrived.

Arguably the best game that took place at Cassell Coliseum occurred on February 17, 2005, during Virginia Tech's first season in the Atlantic Coast Conference. In their first meeting at Cameron Indoor Stadium on January 30, the Duke Blue Devils beat the Hokies by 35 points. Coming into Blacksburg, the Blue Devils were ranked seventh nationally. By the end of the night, the Blue Devils were handed a 67-65 loss to the Hokies in front of 9,847 fans. It was the first time that Virginia Tech had beaten Duke since 1966.

Unused 3 1/2" x 5 1/2" standard size chrome.

Dist. by W.A. Shaw