The final whistle has blown. The lights have been shut off, fans have filtered out and the doors have been locked. Yet, the ghosts live on.
Ghosts of legendary players who have come and gone, of politicians stumping in front of packed crowds, of rock and roll folk heroes and their adoring fans.
In its 84-year history, McArthur Court has played host to countless notable visitors, each putting their own stamp on the legendary arena. Now, as a new era at Matthew Knight Arena begins, it is time to revisit a few of these notable appearances.
“The Tall Firs”
The first and only national championship team at Oregon played at McArthur Court back in the 1938-39 season. Labeled the “Tall Firs” by a newspaper editor named L.H. Gregory because of their unusual height, the Ducks finished the year with a record of 29-5 and defeated Ohio State 46-33 in the title game. John Dick, a member of that team, was in attendance for the final game at McArthur Court on New Year’s Day.
Stan Love
Love played for Oregon from 1968 to 1971, making a name for himself as a 6-foot-9 forward. He was eventually drafted ninth overall by the Baltimore Bullets in the 1971 NBA Draft and enjoyed a four-year professional career. He is a member of the University of Oregon Athletics Hall of Fame, and also the father of current NBA player Kevin Love. Fans may remember Love’s famous appearance at McArthur Court in 2008, when Kevin’s UCLA team matched up with Oregon. Members of the Pit Crew viciously taunted Stan, Kevin and other members of the Love family, and Stan Love stated publicly that he would never appear at McArthur Court again.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Among Love’s opponents back in the late 1960s was none other than UCLA’s Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, then known as Lew Alcindor. Abdul-Jabbar, of course, would go on to become the NBA’s all-time scoring leader. Before that, he was one of many to face the wrath of “The Pit.”
Bill Walton
Walton also played at McArthur Court as a member of the UCLA Bruins, and again later during his tenure with the Portland Trail Blazers. The Bruins actually fell 56-51 at the hands of Oregon at McArthur Court on Feb. 16, 1974, with Walton tallying just 11 points. Walton returned to the arena last January to watch UCLA battle the Ducks.
Aaron Brooks
Even the youngest of Oregon fans likely remember the diminutive Brooks, who called McArthur Court home from 2003-07. He led the Ducks to the Elite Eight in the NCAA tournament during his senior year, and now starts at point guard for the Houston Rockets in the NBA. Brooks made an appearance as honorary captain at Oregon’s final game at McArthur Court, as his Rockets were in the state to play the Portland Trail Blazers.
Presidents and congressmen
Given that McArthur Court was named after an Oregon congressman, Clifton McArthur, it only makes sense that it was a popular stop for countless politicians. Presidential candidate Robert Kennedy visited in 1968 prior to the Oregon primary, as did Bill Clinton in 1992 and Barack Obama in 2008.
Entertainers
Though basketball came first, there was a time when McArthur Court also doubled as Eugene’s version of New York City’s Radio City Music Hall. Elvis Presley played two shows there on Nov. 25 and Nov. 27 in 1976, with 10,000 fans in attendance. Tickets, amazingly, could be found for just $10, and Presley rewarded buyers with a 23-song set, according to The Register-Guard.
The Grateful Dead played numerous shows at McArthur Court, and comic relief could also be found from legends such as Bob Hope and George Carlin.
Indeed, McArthur Court truly saw it all during its 84 years. The physical structure may someday disappear, but the ghosts of visitors past will live on forever.
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