Originally just referred to as "the Coliseum," it was dedicated on September 17, 1977 to the late Stuart K. Cassell, former school business manager, first Vice President of Administration, and major supporter of the building of the arena.

Fan support began to gain momentum under coach Seth Greenberg and the school's recent move to the ACC.

A raucous student section, nicknamed the "Cassell Guard," has helped transform the Coliseum into a difficult venue for opposing teams in an athletic conference ripe with intimidating basketball arenas.

[6] On April 17, 2007, a memorial convocation was held there in response to the shootings of 32 students and faculty on the Virginia Tech campus the previous day.

[8] On January 10, 1983, the Virginia Tech men's basketball team defeated the number one ranked Memphis State Tigers 69-56 in front of 10,000 fans.

[9] On February 17, 2005, during Virginia Tech's first season in the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Blue Devils were ranked 7th nationally.

[10] On January 13, 2007, Virginia Tech defeated the number one ranked North Carolina Tar Heels 94-88.

On March 22, 2010, Virginia Tech beat UConn in Cassell on national television in the second round of the NIT tournament.