The legendary Perkins Natatorium at SMU, which was once a basketball arena converted into a pool in 1959, will no longer be the home of the SMU Mustangs in the future.
Instead, SMU will knock it down and build a new, more modern pool that lines up with modern standards of competition pools.
While it will be exciting for one of the few Division I programs in a state as large as Texas to be getting a new facility, it will be bitter-sweet moment. The Perkins Natatorium is one of the more historic pools still standing in the United States. The pool’s record board is littered with some of the greats in the history of swimming in the United States.
That includes names like Grevers, Ervin, Clary, Crocker, Morozov, Thoman, and Peirsol.
On its surface, this may look like just an old, outdated pool that with only 6 lanes and shallow water is badly in need of updating, but the fact that many of the best teams in the country converge for the SMU Classic there every year, with some of their best results of the season outside of championship meets, says all one needs to know about it. It’s one of the few college pools (maybe the only in Division I) that has seating on three sides, and creates a very, very intimate competition environment.
But progress always comes. SMU will spend the next 18 months training in their outdoor 50-meter Barr Pool (they are exploring options for covering it in winter, where Dallas saw frigid temperatures this year) while the new pool is being built. We are still awaiting word of details on the new facility
The meet will host a “Last Splash @ The Nat” on Saturday, March 29th at 10:30am, including a post-meet barbecue.
The new pool will be built on the east side of 75. It will be part of or next to a new basketball practice facility. Spring semester 2016 is the targeted completion date. Perkins Natatorium was deemed not structurally sound.
I’m a little confused. In speaking to Eddie Sinnot today, a new pool WILL NOT be put in its place. At this point, there isn’t a site for the new pool. I don’t know but that is what he directly told me.
Great memories and great friendships were formed at the Nat. A piece of history will be lost when it is torn down but the legacy and rich traditions will live on. It’s a pool, but the coaches, Mustang teammates and friendly competitors made it a special place to grow up and have some fun while we were at it. I hope a photo of the record board will be preserved for the new facility. Go Red, Go Blue, Go Mustangs SMU!!!
Just wanted to throw props to the SMU women swimmers who have also raced and created quite a tradition for themselves. Take it from me, it was not an easy start for the Lady Mustangs. Loved competing there. Loved going to school there. Will absolutely miss the Nat when it is gone.
I have many memories of The Nat after spending so many hours training and racing in that pool. It was a welcome time each year when Coach Mac would finally let us move indoors from the outdoor pool in December after it gotten too cold for even “suits on heads” while doing our kicking sets.
Most memorable was beating Indiana and breaking Doc Counsilman’s 141 straight dual meet wins. I have never been to a sporting event that loud as when SMU out touched Indiana on the final relay for the meet win my Senior year!
Absolutely do a reunion swim!
Rockwall ISD has a new Natatorium (NICE) for a construction interim.
And lastly, I earned my advanced Red Cross water Saftey and Rescue certifications (for a BSA merit badges) at the Perkins pool in late 60’s.
Many legendary divers as well. Come join us if you can Saturday to celebrate the past and look to the future!
SMU Perkins Natatorium is a house of tradition and champions. It will be missed. We look forward to a new facility that captures the spirit and traditions of the past and positions our SMU student athletes to become champions of the future!