Lights. Camera. Cannonball?
Staff at Marquette’s Wellness + Helfaer Recreation facility are bringing movies to an unexpected domain, turning the space’s pool into a temporary theatre for “Dive-In Movies.” The monthly event, led by graduate assistant Derrick Oborne, invites students to float, swim or lounge while watching a movie on the natatorium’s large digital display.
The idea emerged from Campus Recreation’s push to rethink traditional programming and offer students new ways to engage outside the gym.
“Dive-In Movies, a play on ‘drive-in movie,’ was born out of an exploration of non-traditional recreation,” says James Friel, director of Campus Recreation. “We’re constantly searching for ways to engage students beyond a treadmill or squat rack, and we knew there was an opportunity to do something special in our natatorium.”
The natatorium’s digital scoreboard, typically used for swim meets or informational slides, doubles as a movie screen when connected to a laptop. Oborne said the technology made the concept both practical and exciting.
Campus Recreation first tested the idea as part of freshman orientation, screening “The Incredibles” to over 100 students as part of “Rock the Rec.” “Jaws” followed in October and, earlier this month, 22 students put on their suits and made the plunge for a showing of “Finding Dory.”
“We want to find movies that are timely or fit with the pool,” says Oborne. “In the case of ‘Finding Dory,’ it fits well with the aquatic theme and has great accessibility to resize subtitles.”
While the floating movie night is designed to be fun, organizers hope students walk away with a broader understanding of what recreation can be.
“Wellness is not one size fits all,” Oborne says. “We recognize that every student may not be interested in intramurals or group fitness. Being able to provide students with unique opportunities like Dive-In Movies is an immense privilege. Low-intensity programming with room for connection helps get someone’s foot in the door who may be uneasy entering our space.”
The program also connects directly to the university’s wellness goals, emphasizing holistic well-being.
“Caring for the mind is just as important as caring for the body and spirit,” says Oborne. “Time for oneself and connection with others helps individuals de-stress and decompress. Swimming is also a great, low-impact exercise that promotes recovery and cardiovascular health.”
As with any poolside event, safety remains central. Oborne says striking a balance between creating a theater-like environment and maintaining lifeguard visibility presented planning challenges.
“We want the experience to feel immersive, but we cannot compromise safety,” he says. “There’s a balance in how much we can dim lights or raise volume while staying within pool operation guidelines.”
Student response has been overwhelmingly positive. Many attendees have already said they plan to return, and organizers are collecting informal feedback to improve the experience. One request came through loud and clear: more innertubes.
“We were graciously overwhelmed by the turnout and didn’t have enough for everyone,” Oborne says.
Dive-In Movies will continue on the first Thursday of each month. The December showing is Disney’s Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” which is scheduled for Dec. 4 at 8:30 p.m. Staff said they welcome movie suggestions for the spring lineup.
For Oborne, Friel and the Campus Recreation team, the goal remains simple: create a memorable space where students can relax, connect and share an experience with a twist.
“Movies provide a tangible way for students to get connected on campus,” Oborne says. “The shakeup of hosting a movie in the pool creates an environment that invites conversation, activity and community.”
