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BLACKSBURG – Have you ever anxiously waited on something?
Well, how about 16 years?
It was announced on Aug. 30 that the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors approved multiple enhancements to Rector Field House, including the construction of a throws area for the highly successful Hokie track and field program. After 16 years, track and field and cross country director Dave Cianelli will finally see his vision come to fruition.
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“The Rector Field House project is something that has been discussed since my arrival at Virginia Tech in 2001,” Cianelli said. “Now that it is a reality, my excitement level has gone through the roof. At the completion of this project, we will have a first-class indoor facility that will be on par with the finest indoor facilities in the United States.
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“It will be a fantastic environment for training and developing our current student-athletes. It also serves as a great recruiting tool, as prospective student-athletes and their families will experience that ‘wow’ factor when they tour the new facility.”
Associate head track and field coach/throws coach Greg Jack echoed those sentiments.
“We have already seen an improvement in the recruiting process,” Jack said. “We have shown the architectural renderings to our recruits and the feedback has been tremendous. I cannot wait to be able to show the finished project to our prospective student-athletes. Then we will really see the benefits of having such a great facility. When a financial commitment of this level is demonstrated, it tells future student-athletes that Virginia Tech is committed to their sport and their future success. This is invaluable on the recruiting trail.”
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There will be several major areas of improvements, but the largest and most visible will be the construction of an indoor throws area. The addition, on the southeast corner of the building, will feature two throws areas, one for the weight throw and one for the shot put. The area will include a javelin runway, a discus area and a hammer cage. It also will feature fluid seating, to allow spectators to view multiple events in the arena. The addition will be connected to the main arena and will be used for both practice and competition.
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Head cross country and distance coach Ben Thomas is looking forward to the new space as well, considering the fact that the weather plays a huge role in the Hokies’ day-to-day practice schedule.
“It will be great to have a full-time home in Rector, where we can get out of the weather if need be at any time,” Thomas said. “Distance runners go all year round, so it is a huge asset for us. Having the oversized, flat training oval indoors gives us a safer option for running fast on those rough weather days.”
Also included in this project is an expanded entrance on the east side of Rector. This will include a permanent lobby, featuring trophy cases for both track and field and softball. In addition, a new outdoor plaza will be constructed on the east side of Rector, enhancing both the field house and Tech Softball Park.
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A new north wing also will be added to Rector. In this wing, there will be an expanded training room, along with two halftime rooms that can be used during soccer and lacrosse games, as well as for administrative space for track and other events.
Further enhancements include a new roof, new lighting and a new surface for the track.
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“It (the renovations) will make Rector a centerpiece to display the success we’ve enjoyed so far to recruits,” Thomas said. “Seeing a shiny, new indoor facility with seating and good lighting, as well as our championship banners hanging from the walls and the Hall of Fame lobby, it’s going to be great.”
Having a first-class venue to train and compete in is certainly beneficial for Virginia Tech intercollegiate athletes, but Cianelli emphasizes the real winners in this venture are the student-athletes.
“Our entire team is looking forward to the completion of this project,” Cianelli said. “They can hardly wait to train and compete in the finished structure. Each of our recruits have expressed this same excitement and anticipation.”
Plans call for a January 2018 opening, and officials say they hope to play host to future NCAA and ACC Championships in the new and improved venue. The improvements will be a “game changer” in terms of offering student-athletes the chance to compete in a world-class facility.
“We have had world-class athletes here in the past,” Jack said. “Now, these athletes will have a world-class facility to train in.”
For updates on Virginia Tech track & field, follow the Hokies on Twitter Follow @VT_Track
