News Summary
A snowball fight at the University of Tennessee turned fatal in 1965, resulting in three deaths and significant changes to university snow policies. The incident began when students targeted vehicles, leading to one driver suffering a heart attack and another engaging in gunfire. This tragedy prompted a ban on snowball throwing and raised awareness about the dangers of such activities, impacting university policies for years to come.
KNOXVILLE, Tennessee – A tragic incident stemming from a snowball fight at the University of Tennessee in February 1965 resulted in the deaths of three individuals, altering the university’s policies regarding snow-related activities for decades to come. The snowball fight ensued as approximately 200 students were released from classes due to inclement weather and began engaging in a boisterous battle on Cumberland Avenue.
The seemingly innocent winter pastime escalated quickly into chaos, described by local historian Jack Neely as a “free-for-all.” What started as playful fun among students soon turned dangerous when participants began targeting passing vehicles with snowballs, prompting adverse reactions from motorists. The first casualty of the chaos was identified as Roland Lawson, a middle-aged driver. He suffered a heart attack after being struck by a snowball while in his vehicle.
Shortly after Lawson’s unfortunate incident, truck driver William Willett became involved when he was also hit by snowballs thrown from the crowd. In a retaliatory act, Willett discharged a firearm into the mass of students, leading to further tragedy. The unintended consequence of Willett’s actions resulted in the death of Marnell Goodman, a UT freshman, although the exact details surrounding her death remain unclear. Lastly, Walter Yow, another individual who claimed he was hit by a snowball, also lost his life; however, it was determined that pre-existing medical conditions may have contributed to his demise.
This tragic episode drew attention not only at the local level but also garnered significant national media coverage, raising awareness about the potential dangers associated with snowball fights and similar activities. Prior to this incident, in 1960, the university had already experienced issues with unruly snowball fights, resulting in 14 students being teargassed and arrested during a large-scale confrontation on campus.
In the wake of the events of 1965, then-University of Tennessee President Andy Holt took decisive action to mitigate the risks associated with snowball throwing on campus. He instituted an outright ban on snowball throwing to prevent any recurrence of such a tragic outcome. Furthermore, institutional policies were revised to keep the campus open during snowfall for several years post-incident, allowing students and faculty to navigate the weather with presumed safety.
Changes in Snow Policies
As time progressed, the University of Tennessee’s snow policies began to shift. Nowadays, classes may be canceled occasionally during periods of heavy snowfall, including instances like the suspension of classes in December 2024. Despite changes in weather protocols, the events from the 1965 snowball fight have remained a cautionary tale within the university community.
A Lasting Legacy
The consequences of what began as a playful winter activity have left a lasting impact on the culture surrounding snow and student behavior on campus. The 1965 snowball fight serves as a reminder of how quickly situations can escalate and the potential dangers that can arise from seemingly innocuous actions. In light of this, the university continues to uphold safety measures aimed at protecting students and community members from similar incidents in the future.
Today, while winter festivities are still a part of student life, the shadow of the tragic snowball fight of 1965 continues to looms large, influencing policies and shaping safety protocols at the University of Tennessee.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Knoxville Transforms into a Winter Wonderland
Knoxville Experiences Its First Snow of the Season
Additional Resources
- WBIR: Three Dead After Snowball Fight in Knoxville in 1965
- WBIR: Knoxville’s Deadly Snowball Fight
- Knoxnews: Knoxville Snowball Fight Incident
- WBIR Local News Section
- Wikipedia: Snowball Fight
- Google Search: Snowball Fight Accidents
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Snowball Fight
- Google News: Snowball Fight Incidents
