Unable to find a pen, Greg Bell began asking around.
Finally, after securing a black marker, he walked over to Ret. Navy Adm. John Dick to see if Dick could sign his shirt for him.
But Bell had to wait in line. Dick, 83, a member of Oregon’s storied 1939 championship team, was surrounded by fans young and old, all wanting to be in the presence of the former “Tall Fir.”
And that was just fine with Bell, who, while he waited, signed a few autographs of his own; after all, he was a former Duck, too, having played at Oregon from 1981-85.
It was that kind of night at McArthur Court on Tuesday, where the Ducks’ 71-48 win over Willamette received second billing.
This night belonged to the venerable Mac Court, which was celebrating its 75th anniversary in style by inviting back nearly 50 former players and coaches.
“Once a Duck always a Duck,” said Bell, who was voted the most inspirational player on his team two years in a row in his time at Oregon. “This may sound cheesy, but more than any one game or play, it’s really the fans that I’ve always remembered.”
While the 8,561 fans in attendance Tuesday were given an opportunity to recognize the faces of the past, the celebration also gave the current Ducks a profound history lesson.
“I’ve been here four years, and I really have never understood the whole history of this building until tonight,” said Freddie Jones, who led the Ducks with 19 points. “Those were the people that paved the way for us.”
All around the Pit, there were moments to mark the occasion. On the scoreboard, in place of Ducks, was Webfoots. During a first half timeout, instead of a fan, former Oregon player Dave Kafoury (1964-66) participated in the “Outback Steakhouse 3-point Thriller,” making a respectable four threes in 30 seconds.
And on the court, Oregon coach Ernie Kent was wearing an eye-catching lime green jacket that he called his “throwback outfit,” and most of the Oregon players were sporting knee-high white socks.
As for the game, the Ducks weren’t particularly pleased with their sloppy play against a Division III opponent, but as Kent pointed out, “the more important thing was to pay tribute to this great building.”
At halftime, the former players and coaches gathered at midcourt and introduced themselves to the crowd.
When Oregon’s victory ended, the players again went onto the floor where they could mingle with one another, as well as the fans. Stories were told, followed by laughter and hugs. Some players exchanged numbers to keep in touch.
And then there was Dick, who never passed up an opportunity to please a fan, causing his friend to call him “Mr. Superstar.”
“It feels great,” Dick said. “I was pleased to see all of the players. Not too many left in my age group, though.”
Just then, 12-year-old Kate Carlson of Eugene politely asked Dick to autograph the back of her shirt. Dick obliged with a smile, and a memory was made.
“He’s one of the older players, and I wanted to make him feel special,” Carlson said.
On this night, she wasn’t alone.