Off the lounge, there is a large deck which includes a grill and a fire pit. The area overlooks the practice facility and can be used for special guests who want to get a better look at Tech’s practices.
“It’s so high tech, I told them I wanted to hang out there on the weekends and maybe bring a young lady in there and show her around,” Carmichael said.
The third floor is home to the wrestling team offices and a new practice room. A unique feature instituted throughout the entire facility has benefited wrestling coach Kevin Dresser.
Each floor is climate controlled, so while football generally keeps the locker room area cool, the wrestling team keeps its practice area much warmer. Also, the building was “over air-conditioned,” which will help to cool areas in Cassell Coliseum that never received central air, according to Gabbard.
In addition, a number of features in the locker room will remind Tech players of the program’s tradition. A large clock is situated prior to entering the locker room which symbolizes that players need to be on time and ready for work. It also includes individual punch cards for players.
Next to the clock sits a shelf where the Hokies’ helmet and the helmet of the opposing team will sit. The helmets will remind players of their commitment that week to the team’s goals.
“We gave a lot of thought to what we wanted in there,” Beamer said. “The words that we used in the program the most, the things that are a priority, the things that we really stress … will be in that locker room where they’re seeing them every day.”
In the locker room are 12 different images highlighting famous Tech finishes. There are also words of inspiration on every locker, and Carmichael described the importance of Beamer’s motivational points.
“That’s everything that Virginia Tech football is about,” Carmichael said. “That’s what coach Beamer tries to represent, even in the older locker room, around the locker room is relentlessness and work ethic.
“It starts to become just a way of life.”
The wrestling team has already moved into the facility, but according to Gabbard with the upcoming Boise State game and game against James Madison, coach Beamer does not want any distractions for the team.
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