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The first part of a two-phase project began in 2016 to update the
entrance to the Merryman Center and renovation of the Legends Hall
area. The football offices and Olympic Sports entrance area on the
first level of the Jamerson Athletics Center near the sports medicine
area also received a major facelift.
New exhibits commemorate the accomplishments of Tech’s greatest
players, including All-Americans like Bruce Smith, Corey Moore and
Michael Vick, while another area will highlight current Hokies playing
in the NFL such as Duane Brown, Kam Chancellor, the Fuller brothers,
DeAngelo Hall, Tyrod Taylor and others. Tech’s greatest football
accomplishments will also be celebrated along with new graphics and
video displays on the walls. The specifications of the area also call
for an open floor plan that will allow for a stunning view the indoor
practice facility.
Snyder & Associates, a local company, handled the demolition,
while Cannon Design, with regional offices across the nation has been
handling the design concepts. Nashville-based 1220 Exhibits, Inc.,
added Virginia Tech to its impressive list of exhibits and display clients
that includes the Pro Football Hall of Fame, as well as Notre Dame
and Tennessee.
The $1.7 million Phase I of the project is being paid for with private
contributions to the athletics department. Phase II involves overhauling
McConnell Auditorium, which is the football team’s meeting room
inside the Merryman Center, and also the football team position
meeting rooms – spaces adjacent to Legends Hall. Thanks to the
generosity of Virginia Tech football alum Steve Johnson, work began
in the summer of 2017 to replace the seating, the lighting and the
ceiling, along with adding new graphics on the walls.
Plans are in the works to overhaul the Bowman Room, which resides
on the fourth floor of the Jamerson Center. The room sees heavy use –
from meetings to luncheons and dinners before and after football and
basketball games to providing team meals for all sports on occasion.
The athletics department wants to expand the room, adding seating
and possibly a full-service kitchen. This area would provide a central
place for team meals and other functions.
MERRYMAN CENTER