OAK RIDGE — Not even University of Tennessee men's basketball coach Bruce Pearl can get around tight security at the Y-12 nuclear weapons plant.

Pearl was the guest of honor for Tuesday morning's tip-off of the Y-12 United Way fund drive.

But he forgot to bring proof of citizenship — a passport or birth certificate — required to gain admittance.

So, after a 45-minute delay, Pearl finally received special permission from the National Nuclear Security Administration's on-site office to gain entry to the sprawling plant.

"Somebody in security works with a University of Kentucky grad, and somehow I became a registered terrorist," Pearl said jokingly to the crowd.

Several hundred employees at the Y-12 National Security Complex had waited patiently on a sun-baked concrete pad — the only vestige of a World War II-vintage building — for Pearl's arrival.

As they waited, the crowd listened to the 11-member Y-12 Jazz Band, put in silent auction bids on four basketballs autographed by Pearl, and bought baked goods — with all proceeds earmarked for the United Way.

Tuesday's events launched the annual fund-raising drive by Y-12's 4,000 employees for the nonprofit organization.

The plant and its workers raised $682,416 for United Way last year. The goal this year is $720,000.

BWXT Y-12, the contractor that manages the Y-12 plant, jump-started fund raising Tuesday with a $40,000 contribution.

Bob Fowler, News Sentinel Anderson County editor, may be reached at 864-481-3625.