Limestone Ledger

BLOOMINGTON, IN — The upstairs floor at Nick’s English Hut collapsed early Sunday morning, an event city officials now say can be traced to the December 10, 2011 Indiana–Kentucky basketball game and Christian Watford’s last second, game-winning three-pointer.

The collapse occurred at approximately 1:43 a.m. No serious injuries were reported.

“This was not a sudden failure,” said Bloomington structural engineer Mark Hensley. “This was a long-term load issue stemming from a single, extremely enthusiastic moment.”

Video from 2011 shows hundreds of patrons jumping and celebrating simultaneously inside Nick’s when the shot went in, producing visible floor movement, airborne drinks, and what one engineer described as “unquantifiable Hoosier joy.”

“At the time, the building held,” Hensley said. “But it never forgot.”

City records confirm that Nick’s passed every inspection since 2011. One 2017 report noted “persistent but stable bounce” in the upstairs floor.

“That was not a red flag,” said a former city inspector. “That was just Nick’s.”

Bartenders say the floor developed a reputation over the years.

“You could feel it during rivalry games,” said longtime bartender Steve Morales. “Kentucky games especially. It was like the building got tense.”

Witnesses say the floor gave way without warning, however a reply of the 2011 ‘Wat Shot” game was on television.

“There wasn’t even a live game on,” said IU graduate student Hannah Wilkes. “But the celebration of that win felt was still electric.”

Fire officials described the collapse as “contained and cooperative.”

“It didn’t tear,” said Battalion Chief Ron Ellis. “It settled. Almost politely.”

City officials emphasized that no citations are expected.

“There’s no negligence here,” said Mayor Kerry Thomson. “This was deferred celebration reaching structural closure.”

Nick’s ownership released a statement calling the building “a participant in Bloomington history.”

Christian Watford, reached through a representative, said he was glad no one was hurt and added, “I always knew that shot had legs.”

The NCAA declined comment, stating it “does not regulate load-bearing joy.”

The upstairs remains closed while the city evaluates reconstruction options. One proposal would preserve part of the collapsed floor with a commemorative plaque.