Milligan University Evacuates Over 200 After Carbon Monoxide Leak

Athletic teams rerouted for medical treatment as university investigates incident at Steve Lacy Fieldhouse

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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Over 200 students and faculty at Milligan University in Johnson City, Tennessee were sent to local hospitals for treatment after a carbon monoxide leak was detected at the school's Steve Lacy Fieldhouse early Wednesday morning. Athletic teams traveling to games were rerouted to receive care, and a men's basketball game was cancelled. The university is working with the local fire department to inspect the fieldhouse before reopening.

Why it matters

Carbon monoxide leaks can be extremely dangerous, posing serious health risks if not detected and addressed quickly. The incident at Milligan University highlights the importance of proper safety protocols and monitoring systems in campus facilities to protect students, faculty, and visiting athletes. The university's response in evacuating and treating those affected will be closely watched.

The details

According to reports, the carbon monoxide leak was detected early Wednesday morning at the Steve Lacy Fieldhouse on Milligan's campus. Over 200 students and faculty were sent to seven Ballad Health facilities for treatment, with half discharged by Wednesday evening. Any athletic teams traveling or en route to games were rerouted to receive medical care, and a men's basketball game against Blue Ridge on Monday night was cancelled.

  • The carbon monoxide leak was detected early Wednesday morning at the Steve Lacy Fieldhouse.
  • As of 9:45 p.m. on Wednesday evening, half of those evaluated had been discharged from medical facilities.
  • The Milligan maintenance team will work with the local fire department on Thursday morning to conduct a final inspection of the fieldhouse before the building's reopening.

The players

Milligan University

A private Christian university located in Johnson City, Tennessee.

Ballad Health

A regional health system that operates several hospitals and medical facilities in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.

Angela Johnson

A parent of a Milligan softball player who was notified that her daughter and the team were asked to be checked for carbon monoxide exposure.

Cami Vincent

A junior at Milligan University who was in class when she and a friend learned about the carbon monoxide leak.

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What they’re saying

“The first email was just about the maintenance. I was like 'okay, whatever' and I just cleared it. I didn't even read the email the rest of the day, honestly. But then I saw it was carbon monoxide, me and my friend were in class, and we were like 'whoa what happened?'”

— Cami Vincent, Junior (wjhl.com)

“Angela Johnson, a parent of a Milligan softball player, wrote to News Channel 11, saying the team was asked to be checked after they were in the fieldhouse late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning. Her daughter was notified via email from the university. Johnson's daughter was taken to Holston Valley Medical Center for treatment and labs, which were satisfactory.”

— Angela Johnson, Parent of Milligan softball player (wjhl.com)

What’s next

The Milligan maintenance team will work with the local fire department on Thursday morning to conduct a thorough final inspection of the fieldhouse before the building's reopening. It is unclear when the building will reopen.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of robust safety protocols and monitoring systems in campus facilities to protect students, faculty, and visiting athletes from potential hazards like carbon monoxide leaks. Milligan University's response in evacuating and treating those affected will be closely watched as a model for how universities should handle such emergencies.