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BLACKSBURG, Va. – The Virginia Tech men’s basketball team opens ACC regular season play on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015 at noon against Syracuse in Cassell Coliseum. Here are a few updates that the Hokie Nation can look forward to when attending games beginning Saturday.

The Look and The Sound of Cassell Coliseum

The first thing fans will notice is the newly-installed state-of-the-art LED lighting system. This new feature allows the pre-game and in-game environment to be greatly improved, as team introductions will take on a whole-new look and feel, as the lights, along with the new sound system that was installed over the summer to be fully integrated. There will also be new smoke machines and other enhancements to the overall experience that give the WOW! Factor to the event.

Rutledge will perform on Saturday

As was announced earlier this week, local musical favorites, Rutledge, will perform in Cassell Coliseum this Saturday immediately preceding the Hokies’ game against Syracuse. The band will give an energetic performance in the stands, beginning at 10:30 a.m., when the gates open to the fans.

Pregame Concourse Activities

Some of the new attractions fans will notice beginning on Saturday will be a photo booth, face painting and photo opportunities with the HokieBird. So come early to join in on all the fun and activities.

Enhanced Fan Experience

Interactive activities will be available on the concourse pregame. At halftime, both national and local acts , such as Wacky Chad, Magic of JP Wilson, Peter Rabbit the Bucket Drummer, Simon Sez, Acrodunk and more, have been brought in to entertain fans. Popular, energetic and game appropriate music will be played through the updated sound system at Cassell Coliseum. And at select games, fans will have the opportunity to claim a unique and exclusive Virginia Tech promotional item.

As has been the case in recent seasons, and continuing the success from football this fall, rather than charge for game programs this year, fans will be offered a free game program, upon entering Cassell Coliseum.

Improved Sound System and Lighting

As mentioned earlier, Virginia Tech invested in a new, sophisticated sound system for the arena. The programmable system, combined with the video boards installed in 2013 and the new LED lights installed over holiday break, will allow for better fan excitement at the games. The new lighting will allow instant on-and-off control, zoned lighting and will be adaptable to allow unique lighting for specific needs and events.

Mini Plans are still available

A variety of Mini Plans are still available for this season, starting at just $60. The nine-game plan offers tickets to all nine ACC regular season conference games, while the more individualized Duke and UVa four-game plans offer more flexibility to fans to purchase the plans right for each individual. Also available are Coke Zero Family 4-Packs for Notre Dame and Pitt games. Beginning this season for men’s basketball, Cassell Coliseum now features three uniquely priced seating sections: In the Paint, Top of the Key, and Beyond the Arc. Single game ticket prices will vary for each of the sections, ensuring fans can select a preferred seat location.

Free Hokies Xtra Gameday App

To assist fans with all the happenings in and around game day, a free app was created, which can be accessed by searching on the Apple iTunes Store or Google Play for VT Gameday. Fans will be able to listen to the game broadcast free of charge on the app.

Social Media Wall

One of the most popular additions during the football season and the non-conference portion of the basketball season has been a social media wall. For a chance to connect with other Hokies and see your tweets and pictures on the videoboard or on our hokiesports.com website, tweet #Hokies, or #vtwbb or #vtmbb.

#HokieHuddle

New this season on hokiesports.com is our new insider’s look at basketball, the #HokieHuddle. A blog that features timely, informative and fun topics, #HokieHuddle brings all fans closer to both the program.

Concessions

Cassell Coliseum offers fans a wide array of concession areas throughout the arena that feature fare such as pizza, footlong chili dogs, and chili cheese nachos at Section 7, BBQ pork sandwiches and BBQ nachos at Section 13, Dairy Club milkshakes at Section 17, fresh popped popcorn at Sections 11 and 8, kettle corn at section 16, shaved ice at Sections 12 and 7 and sausage with peppers and onions at Section 6.

Videoboard Features

Another popular addition to the total game experience has been new videoboard features. These short feature allow the fans to get to know the players and staff better and show a fun side of everyone. Fans also enjoy a clean, polished redesign of our videoboard to enhance the gameday experience live on HokieVision.

Cassell Guard

The student section of Virginia Tech basketball have been encouraged to use more cheers and create unique experiences for student season ticket holders. When students return to school on January 20, 2015, based upon feedback from the Cassell Guard., they will find further enhancements.

To purchase season tickets, log on to hokietickets.com or call the Virginia Tech Athletics Ticket Office at (540) 231-6731 or toll-free at 1-800 VA TECH4 (1-800-828-3244).

For updates on Virginia Tech men's basketball, follow the Hokies on Twitter Follow @VT_MBBall