MATT ARENA
Matthew Knight Arena opened its doors on Jan. 13, 2011, to a sold-out crowd of 12,364 as the Oregon men’s basketball christened the new palace with a 68-62 victory over USC. The building, named after the late son of NIKE Co-Founder Phil Knight, is located on the east side of UO’s campus. Officials broke ground on Matthew Knight Arena on Feb. 7, 2009, as the 420,000 square-foot masterpiece was constructed in less than two years. Matt Arena was erected to replace legendary McArthur Court, which opened on January 14, 1927. Known as one of the toughest venues in the country for opponents, Mac Court was the second-oldest on-campus arena still in use before Matthew Knight Arena opened its doors. Also known as “The Pit,” Sporting News named it the “the best gym in America” as sports writer and arena researcher Bill Kintner placed Mac Court his top five of college basketball arenas in America for its history, character, and atmosphere. Mac Court was a passion incubator. The geometry of the place not only shoved fans close to amplify the intensity of emotion, it put fans on top of the action, making them feel like they were an integral part of the play on the floor, and able to usher their Ducks to victory through the force of their energy and collective will. Fans didn’t just go to Mac Court to watch a game; fans went to live it. To recreate the same passion and experience at Matthew Knight Arena, the new venue was fashioned with the same close connection to the student-athletes and the action; by making the fans feel like they are an integral part of the game. Matthew Knight Arena is a monument to all Oregon fans and their common love for Oregon, and the exciting energy that happens when all join together to cheer for the Ducks. There are several areas throughout the arena, including the club areas, team spaces and concessions that tie the Oregon brand together. Three major displays on the Concourse are the Anthem to the Fan, the Hero Graphics and the Shroud Wall. Each tells different parts of the story. The Shroud Wall is primarily about heritage, energy and progression.
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2012-13 OREGON MEN’S BASKETBALL