Goodbye Mac Court

David R.

November 30, 2009 - 4:19 PM

Every time I drive down Franklin Street towards Springfield, I can't help but stare in awe at the gigantic structure that is being built right behind the Bean dormitory complex.

By the time next school year rolls around, the University of Oregon will have one of the nicest, most expensive basketball arenas in the country. The arena will hold way more fans than MacArthur Court, the current basketball arena. The seats will be much nicer, as opposed to the hard wooden seats that fans are currently forced to sit on. The new arena will present the players and the fans with a much nicer, much more luxurious and up-to-date collegiate basketball facility. The new arena, to be named Matthew Knight arena, in memory of Phil Knight's son, is much deserved, and will present the Ducks basketball teams with a new home to make a fresh start after a few years of disappointment.

However, there are some who will be sad to see Mac Court go. This has been the home for Ducks basketball for many years, and it holds many great memories of past Oregon teams.

As a senior in high school in 2007, I came to visit the University of Oregon in early January. The tour that I took began in the morning, and as it progressed, I was made aware that the Ducks basketball team had a crucial game that morning versus conference rival, and number one ranked UCLA. As the tour wrapped around towards Mac Court, I noticed an abundance of fans decked out in their Duck gear filing into the stadium. I had never been to a Division 1 college basketball game before, and after seeing this, my next priority for the day was to somehow catch a glimpse of the game from inside. As the game started, I was tortured by the sound of fans roaring that ruptured across the campus. The tour ended, and my dad and I ran as fast as we could over to the stadium. When we arrived one of the security guards notified us that there were roughly five minutes left. After a great deal of begging and pleading, my dad and I were allowed to watch the final three minutes of the game from the upper deck. This was an experience I will never forget. The game was close and both teams kept scoring in response to each other. With only a few seconds left, Oregon great Aaron Brooks nailed a jump shot from the baseline that has become known by all Oregon fans. This shot put the Ducks in the lead and as the Bruins were unable to respond, the students rushed the court and what was a civilized game became a scene of pandemonium. This game would go down in history, and the Ducks found themselves in the elite eight at the end of the year.

Of course, we can't forget about the scene that took place last season after the Ducks beat Stanford at home. The Ducks, who had been struggling all season, had yet to win a game in the Pacific 10. Finally, they were able to beat Stanford to end the streak, and the students once again rushed the court to show their never-ending support for the Ducks.

The basketball season is just underway, and the Ducks look to have a much more promising season. Being able to start the season in a brand new facility next year, I hope the Ducks can build upon whatever success they achieve this season, and gain back the respect of the Pac 10 that dwindled after last season.