HokieCentral.com has learned from a source close to the Lane Stadium expansion project that Tech's South end zone expansion, which is slated to add approximately 12,000 seats in a double-decked configuration, has been moved up from the 2002 season to the 2001 season.

Previously, Tech had stated numerous times that the expansion of the South end zone was slated for completion before the 2002 season, but sources say that the superhot rise in popularity of Tech football prompted the athletic department to push architectural firms to bid on completing the project one year earlier, by the start of the 2001 season.

Information on the stadium expansion project and its status has been very hard to come by, as Tech has played this one close to the vest. Nothing is official until the project is approved by the state legislature and is officially launched by Virginia Tech, but a completion date of late summer 2001 is an understandable goal to shoot for.

Tech football's popularity, and the accompanying demand for tickets, is virtually guaranteeing that all home games will be sold out next year. And as long as Heisman candidate Michael Vick plays for the Hokies, demand will be strong. Given that Vick might depart early after his redshirt-junior season of 2001 for the NFL, it makes sense that Tech would like the additional seats to be in place for what may be Vick's last year.

Our source indicated that the press box renovation and luxury box addition for the West stands may be moved up as well, from 2003 to 2002, but that's still under discussion at this point.

HokieCentral.com's source also reported that the cost of the total expansion project (South end zone expansion, press box refurbishment, and luxury box construction) is in the $50 million range, which agrees with information previously released in the public domain. The double-decked South end zone will reportedly be nearly as tall as the current East (student) stands. Between the decks, there will be "club" level seating that, although not enclosed, will have some degree of climate control in the form of hot or cold air blowers over the seats.

Stadium expansion has been a hot topic here at HokieCentral.com since we ran an article titled Stadium Expansion: Hot Ticket for the New Millennium in July of 1998. For Hokie fans, it's exciting to think that the first major portion of expansion, which has been talked about for almost two years, may be open just a scant 16 months from now. We hope our source is right and that the firm which is awarded the contract is able to pull it off.

HokieCentral.com's Lane Stadium expansion page will be updated soon with the new information.

Tech Bytes

The Trickle-Down Effect: HokieCentral has also learned that the Marching Virginians' drum line will be getting a free complete set of Yamaha drums, the first time this has ever happened. The band previously has had to pay for everything, but increased TV exposure is changing that, as Yamaha is now ponying up for drums just so they'll show up on TV. Being a top team with a Heisman candidate QB has obvious advantages, like increased ticket sales and Hokie Club donations, but there are a ton of other benefits as well, like this one.

Spring Game Available on the Radio and Broadcast.com: the Spring Game will be broadcast on local NRV radio affiliate 105.3 FM, "The Bear." If our information is correct, there will be a two-hour pregame show beginning at 12:00, followed by the Spring Game from 2:00-4:00. A brief half-hour postgame show will run from 4:00-4:30. For those of you who are not in the New River Valley, the broadcast is also available on Broadcast.com, at this link. Important note: according to Broadcast.com, their broadcast does not start until 1:45.

Don't Forget the HC Tailgate on Saturday: if you can, remember to stop by the HokieCentral.com tailgate on Saturday and say hello to Will, James, and other HokieCentral.com fans and message board posters. Click here for details.

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