Virginia Tech Football Unveils Redesigned Sanghani Player Lounge
Sanghani and his wife, Hema, have a long history of giving back to their alma mater. In January 2021, the couple donated $10 million to Virginia Tech to support the new Sanghani Center for Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics, which will be headquartered on the groundbreaking innovation campus of the university in Alexandria, Virginia. The Sanghanis also endowed and established the market for Virginia Tech to address food insecurity on campus and in the surrounding local community.
“Virginia Tech Football’s identity was built around a blue-collar work ethic and a close-knit family environment,” Sanghani said. “We hope that this investment in the players’ lounge and our recruitment infrastructure will create an environment for our former players to come back and reinforce that identity, for our current players to create the bonds that make this family environment tangible and to attract future elite Hokies who want to be a part of continuing that legacy.As natives of Blacksburg and Southwest Virginia, my family and I are incredibly proud that our last name is forever linked to a investment in the maintenance of this culture and this heritage.
In addition to funding the refurbishment of the player lounge, Sanghani’s donation to Tech Athletics will also fund four new full-time football recruiting positions to further enhance the Hokies’ player personnel initiatives, particularly emphasizing the focus on continuing to strengthen Tech’s graphic and digital design. content teams. The contribution for Sanghani also includes an annual contribution to Tech’s Football Improvement Fund.
Tech leads envisioned the look of a modern entertainment complex and player-centric environment in the redesign, which is exactly the vibe the Hokies now have in this updated space. Located one floor above the football locker rooms, the reimagined lounge is now the perfect place for the Hokies to hang out, play video games, watch movies, or just relax. With arcade games galore, as well as ping-pong and pool tables, the lounge is equipped with a refreshment station and a movie theater.
The salon’s redesign was handled by South Carolina-based consulting agency Jack Porter. The lounge entrance features a fully immersive “Sandman Experience” replicating the game day feel of walking through the Avery Tunnel and Lane Stadium with sensors set to play Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” as players enter. In addition to serving as a place where current team members can bond and enjoy moments of camaraderie, it also provides an ideal place for recruits and their families to relax during campus visits.