The Pool

The Natatorium (known more commonly as The Pool in the Fitness Center is slightly bigger than the kiddie pool that the TKEs inflate on Flunk Day. But only very slightly.

People used to break into it a lot when they were drunk or wanted to have sex. You could force your way into the fieldhouse through one of the exterior doors, and then pick the lock on the pool door. But they changed the lock, fixed the door, and started fining people for breaking in. Or at least, there was a rumor about them fining people.

Break-Ins

One of the most notorious pool break-ins occurred in the wee hours of the morning of September 11, 2005. Thirteen students achieved several canon-balls, a few games of Chicken, and removed all of the water polo balls from the storage closet before they were discovered by Campus Safety officers. Three Campus security officers found thirteen students swimming in the pool, and two others entering the pool area with alcohol. All of the thirteen students were either entirely or partially nude. At the time, most of the students were sophomores, although there was also one junior and two first-years present.

The matter, as always, was referred to the Office of Student Development, where the students were accused of vandalism, trespassing, and alcohol violations. Fortunately, the students were able to convince Debbie Southern to drop the charges of trespassing and alcohol violation, as no damage had been done to the building and only two of the fifteen students possessed alcohol at the time of the break-in.

This break-in appears to be the largest in recent Knox history and, according to Debbie Southern was the first time anyone had been caught in the pool. Prior to this incident, students had been caught attempting to pick the lock, but had not yet entered the pool area or the swimming pool itself.