The Merryman Center, the centerpiece for Virginia Tech athletics, is a $10.6 million all-purpose building that ranks as one of the finest facilities of its kind in college athletics - and it's only getting better.

Located just a good punt from Lane Stadium/Worsham Field, Merryman opened its doors to athletes in 1997 and officially was dedicated Sept. 26, 1998 in a university ceremony.

The facility is named for the F.W. (Sonny) Merryman family of Rustburg, Va., which presented the university with a major gift, kicking off a fund-raising campaign that saw Tech supporters dig deep into their pockets.

The result is a streamlined 40,000-square-foot facility that includes ...

On the first floor: A spacious sports rehabilitation complex where athletes can go to help them get back on the playing field quicker; a strength and conditioning complex that is magnificent; a speed and agility gym; and a football coaches' locker room.

And on the second floor: Michael Vick Hallway, which includesa 130-seat auditorium and nine position meeting rooms for use by the football team; the new Hall of Legends, which is a showcase of Virginia Tech football; spacious offices for Coach Frank Beamer and his top assistant, John Ballein; the video department, complete with brand new, state-of-the-art equipment; and the women's basketball offices.

The Hall of Legends, the new entranceway to the athletics department, provides visitors with a brilliant display of Hokie football memorabilia.

The area highlights memorabilia from past Virginia Tech football squads with special emphasis on the Outland Trophy, won by Tech's Bruce Smith as the best college football lineman in 1984, as well as the numerous awards won by Corey Moore following the 1999 season.

Other memorabilia highlights are items from Tech's Sugar Bowl football victory over Texas in 1995 - as well as Tech's other bowl appearances - and former Hokies in the NFL.

The area also has a conference room, as well as videos, game balls and other awards handed out.

"The room was designed to provide us with an ideal place for individual meetings with football prospects and their parents," associate athletics director for football operations John Ballein said. "In our opinion, it is quite a showplace for recruiting."

The exterior of the building is streamlined, too, and has a definite Hokie motif. Even the roof, the only maroon one on the Virginia Tech campus, adds a touch of school spirit. The outside walls of the Merryman Center are a combination of Hokie stone and a more simplified white stone that matches that on Cassell Coliseum, the building next door.

"This is a facility that is really special in every way," says Tech A.D. Jim Weaver. "There is no doubt in my mind that the Merryman Center ranks right at the very top among the great buildings in college athletics."

Beamer, too, is ecstatic over the facility. "The building, to me, represents a commitment on behalf of the university," the coach says. "The construction of Merryman clearly demonstrates the university's determination to maintain a top athletic program year in and year out. All of us connected with football are extremely proud of that."

Another area of interest is Tech's first-rate video area, something Ballein is especially proud of.

"The complex has more coaching stations than any other facility of its kind in college football or in the National Football League," he said.

Beamer's office is special, too. The 22-by-30-foot room is enclosed by glass on two sides, providing a beautiful view of Lane Stadium/Worsham Field and other parts of the Merryman Center. Beamer also has a great view of the new practice fields installed prior to the 2001 season. The new fields are less than 100 feet from the football locker room.