Mac Court at UO (1926-2009)

McArthur Court was the basketball arena on the University of Oregon campus. Also known as the Igloo, The Pit and Mac Court.

Architect:  Lawrence & Holford

Construction began in June 1926 and ended in December of that year. ASUO funded McArthur Court, named for Clifton N. ‘Pat” McArthur, the first president of the ASUO (1899-1900). Initially designed to seat 6000, later grew to 9,000.

Renovation (1950s). North end bleachers (1953); Two balconies, exterior roof grusses, metal corner stair towers added (1955).

MacArthur Court – In the News

• “Basketball pavilion is near completion; final touches added,” Daily Emerald, 12/10/1926
• “Amphitheater is named for C. N. M’Arthur,” Daily Emerald, 01/06/1927
• “McArthur Court able to seat 6,000; Bears want large crowd,” Daily Emerald, 03/02/1927
• “New plan proposed to better acoustics of McArthur Court,” Daily Emerald, 01/21/1928
• “Permanent drapes ready. Igloo to be fitted for new wardrobe,” Daily Emerald, 01/28/1938
• “Mac Court gets facelifting,” Daily Emerald, 09/19/1947
• “Remodeled Mac court sees side posts out, balconies in,” Daily Emerald, 10/15/1954
• “McArthur Court’s acoustics criticized by musicians,” Daily Emerald, 05/17/1966
• “Student oppostiion rises over ‘no dancing’ decision,” Daily Emerald, 11/08/1968
• “Mac Court roof causes closure,” Daily Emerald, 01/29/1969
• “Student arrested at mac court: two hundred gain free admission to concert, Danny Bosch,” Daily Emerald, 03/10/1970
• Mac Court rock concerts threatened by smoking,” Daily Emerald, 04/05/1971
• “Smoking again mars Mac Cout concert, Arlo Guthrie,” Daily Emerald, 12/07/1971
• “Mac Court concert injunction possible,” Daily Emerald, 12/08/1971
• “Behavior at concert to decide future events,” Daily Emerald, 02/10/1972
• “Audience behavior better at Youngblood’s concert,” Daily Emerald, 02/14/1972
• “Wick recommends end to rock concerts, in Mac Court,” Daily Emerald, 02/15/1972
• “Forum cancels rock concerts in Mac Court,” Daily Emerald, 02/16/1972
• “Eugene Register Guard: Mac Court rock concerts may get OK after screening“, Eugene Register Guard, 02/24/72

Concert History

1929-30 Associated Students Concert Series 

• Dec 5 – Paul Kochanski (violinist)
• Jan 7 – Arthur Boardman (tenor)
• Jan 20 – Portland Symphony Orchestra, under direction of Willem von Hoogstraten
• Feb 25 – Smallman a Capella Choir

1930-31

• Maier and pattison (two piano duetists)
• Nathan Milstein  (violinist)
• Florence Austral (soprano)
• Portland Symphony Orchestra under direction of Willem von Hoogstraten
• University Symphony Orchestra
• Glee Clubs

1931-32

• George Enesco, famous Rumanian (violinist)
• Eugene Gleemen

1934-35

• Don Cossack (Russian male chorus)
• Josef Hoffman/Hofmann (pianist)
• Roland Hayes (tenor)
• Jascha Heifetz (violinist)
• The University Symphony
• The Band
• Polyphonic Choir

1935-36 Greatest Artist Series

• Ted Shawn Dancers
• Portland Symphony
• Latvian Russian Singers
• Christensen’s Ballet

1935-36 Greatest Artist Series

1936-37 Greatest Artist Series

• Nino Martini (golden voiced tenor) performs for  Junior Weekend Festival
• The Paul Pendarvis orchestra performed for students at the annual Journalism Jamboree dance in Mac Court in 1937.

1937-38 Greater Artist Series sponsored by Associated Students of the University of Oregon

• Duke Ellington and his orchestra perform for the senior ball.
• Oct Swing Jazz star  Paul Whiteman  performs for Homecoming Dance
• World-famous operatic soprano Amelita Galli-Curci arrives in Eugene for 1937 homecoming. She attended the civil war football game, then performed a concert the next day at Mac Court.
• Mar 27 – Lanny Ross (lyric tenor)
• May 8  – Helen Jepson
• Angna Enters
• Nathan Milstein
• Hall Johnson Choir

1938-39 Greater Artist Series sponsored by the University of Oregon Phi Beta

• Nov 7 – Fritz Kreisler (world famous violinist)
• Nov 16 – Serge Jaroff and the Don Cossack chorus
• Jan – Pasmore (piano soloist)
• Jan – Trerice (piano soloist)
• March – Trudi Schoop and her comic ballet
• March – Igor Gorin (world-reknowned tenor)

1939-40 Greater Artist Series sponsored by the Associated Students of the University of Oregon

• Oct 20 – Lawrence Tibbit (singer – baritone)
• 1939 – Ran Wilde and his orchestra performed at the 1939 Senior Ball
• Jan 11  – Jan Kiepura (singer – tenor) – additional link
• Jan 30 – St. Olaf choir (60 student voices)
• April 11 – Jose Iturbi (Spanish pianist)
• May 25  – Benny Goodman (King of Swing)

1940-41 Greater Artist Series  sponsored by the Education Activity Board of the University of Oregon

• Nov 7 – Paul Robeson (internationally famed bass-baritone) for Homecoming Dance
• Nov 15 – Cornellia Otis Skinner
• Jan 14 – Serge Jaroff and his Don Cossacks (Third time to play U.O. due to popular demand)
• Jan 17 – Bob Crosby and his Orchestra (Modern Dixieland Music)
• Feb 11 – Gladys Swarthout (member of metro opera)
• April – Alec Templeton (blind pianist)
• May – Benny Goodman and his orchestra perform for Freshmen Glee

1941-42 Greatest Artist Series sponsored by Associated Students of the University of Oregon

• Oct 10 – Grace Moore (vocal)
• Dec 1 – Yehudi Menuhin (world famous master of violin)
• Jan 7 – Josef Hofmann (pianist)
• Feb 23 – Sir Thomas Beecham and the Seattle Symphony
• Apr 8 – Nino Martini (vocal) 

1942-43 Greatest Artist Series

• Nov 7 – Tommy Dorsey Orchestra performed  Homecoming dance
• Nov 16  – Larry Adler and Paul Draper (harmonica dance team) Page 2
• Nov  – Dorothy Maynor (Soprano) – additional link
• Mar 1 – University of Oregon Choral Union

1943-1944

“The Mr., Miss, and Mrs. Bigs of the concert world come to the University each year to match their voices and instruments against the superbly abominable acoustics of McArthur court. Last year, for instance, Marjorie Lawrence, Gregor Piatigorsky, Ezio Pinza, Bidu Sayao, and the Roth string quartet (the latter held forth in the music school auditorium) appeared in concert at 8 or 8:15, usually on Monday nights, under the auspices of the educational activities board. Students are admitted free with the presentation of their student body cards at the door. Faculty and townspeople are admitted with the presentation of real live money via a series plan which reserved them the same seat for each attraction but did not bind them to take the whole series.” – Source: The Ore-nater, 1944-1945

1944-1945  Eugene Civic Music Association

“Replacing the usual Greater Artist Series at the University, the newly formed Eugene Civic Music Association has taken over organization of the concerts. In cooperation with the University the new concert group will furnish townspeople and student concert attractions very similar to that of the previous series. The University will continue to supply the hall for the concerts.

A feature of the Civic Association is that no individual tickets will be sold at the concerts. Only persons who purchased membership in the organization in the pre-season campaign will be admitted. Due to the fact that 1700 memberships were sold in this year’s drive, the association has been able to secure eight separate attractions in place of the four or five possible under the old system.

The series will open in October with the presentation of Raoul Jobin, leading tenor of the Metropolitan. Follow-up performance of the series will be given by Leonard Pennario; Argentinita and her Spanish dancers with Pilar Lopez; the Don Cossacks, conducted by Serge Jaroff; Joseph Szigeti; Norman Cordon; Luboschitz and Nemonoff, and Rise Stevens” -Source: The Ore-nter, 1944-1945

1945-1946  Eugene Civic Music Association

1946-1947  Eugene Civic Music Association

1947-1948 Eugene Civic Music Association

1948-49 Eugene Civic Music Association

• Sammies (student musicians)
• Freddie Keller and his Orchestra perform at “The Pigger’s Delight” dance 

1949-50 Eugene Civic Music Association

• The Stan Kenton Orchestra with June Christy on vocals

1951-52 Eugene Civic Music Association

• Hazell Scott

1952-53 Eugene Civic Music Association

• The De Pour Infantry Chorus

1953-54 Eugene Civic Music Association

• The George Shearing Quintet
• Vienna String Symphony (Feb)

1954-1955 Eugene Civic Music Association

1955-56 Eugene Civic Music Association

• Duke Ellington  performs Mac Court
• Pete Seeger — EMU??

1956-57 Eugene Civic Music Association

• Jazz a la Carte – Dave Brubeck, Sarah Vaughn, Red Norvo Trio, Buddy DeFranco quartet, and Dal Tjader’s Afro-Cuban combination.

May 24, 1957 – Mac Court Plywood Shell Draws Gripes (eyesore, acoutics)

1959-60

• Ella Fitzgerald was among the prominent musicians and speakers who came to Oregon during the 1959-60 school year.

1961-62 Eugene Civic Music Association

• Jimmy Rodgers was one of the popular artists that performed at campus during the 1961-62 school year. (From the 1962 Oregana)
• The Limelighters (with Glenn Yarbrough) – March 26th?
• The Branko Krsmanovich Chorus
• Pearl Bailey – part of UO Homecoming festivities – Nov 25

1962-63  Eugene Civic Music Association

• Duke Ellington speaks to students during an intermission of his concert at McArthur Court
• Peter Paul and Mary performed a concert at Oregon in 1963. (From the 1963 Oregana)

1963-64 Eugene Civic Music Association

• Black Watch – pipes, drums and highland dancing
• Ruth & Naomi Segal – twins piano duo
• Peter, Paul, and Mary
• The London Philharmonic Orchestra (same night as JFK’s funeral)
• Nat King Cole performs a concert before Junior Prom
• Jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald performed for students in 1963. (From the 1964 Oregana)
• Smothers Brothers performed at the UO 1963 during the Republican Convention. (From the 1964 Oregana)

1964-65

• Johnny Mathis
• The Oscar Peterson Trio
• The Serendipity Singers
• The Smothers Brothers returned to the UO for another concert in 1965. (From the 1965 Oregana)

1965-66

• Oct 9 – Louis Armstrong
• Oct 30 – Victor Borge performs for Homecoming Dance
• March 4 or 5 – Beach Boys  with the Critters and  Noel Harrison
• Henry Mancini performed for Spring Prom

1966-67

• Feb – Harry Belefonte (From the 1967 Oregana)

1967-68

• Nov 12, 1967 – The Doors at Mac Court — The Doors were huge, so they played two dates in Oregon, at the basketball arenas of the two biggest Universities in Oregon. According to Doors drummer John Densmore’s autobiography (Riders On The Storm), former Daily Flash drummer Jon Keliohor substituted for his Laurel Canyon neighbor Densmore at the Eugene and Corvallis shows. Fortunately for Densmore, although Keliohor was a fine drummer, the band didn’t like playing with a substitute. (Source: ??))

• Bob Hope performed at the University of Oregon in 1967. From the 1968 Oregana
• Dave Brubeck was among the performers to come to the UO during the 1967-68 school year. (From the 1968 Oregana)
• Diana Ross and the Supremes performed at the UO in 1968. (From the 1968 Oregana)
• Lou Rawls was among the performers that came to the UO campus during the 1967-68 school year. (From the 1968 Oregana) Mac Court or EMU?

1968-69

• Nov 9 – Dionne Warwick at Mac Court
• Nov 15, 1969 – The Temptations (band for their Homecoming Event) MAC COURT
•  Iron Butterfly Iron and Blue Cheer (From the 1969 Oregana)
• May 3 – Fifth Dimension to open Spring Prom (open to public)
• May 31  – Grateful Dead
• 3 Dog Night , Ike and Tina Turner Review – 1969
• Peter, Paul & Mary — Mac Court (Spring 1969)
• Simon & Garfunkel – Mac Court or EMU?
• Bill Cosby at Mac Court
• Joan Baez – Mac Court or EMU?
• Jose Feliciano – Mac Court or EMU?

1969-70

• Oct 30 – Donovan
• Nov 15 – The Temptations (Homecoming Concert)
• Jan 11 – Sly and the Family Stone
• Feb 15 – John Mayall with Zephyr (Duster Bennett opening)
• March 8 – Chicago
• April 17 – The Rascals
• May 1  – Blood, Sweat & Tears – Mac Court on revolving stage  (UO Junior Class Presents)
• May 5 – Fifth Dimension for Spring Prom (open to public). The concert follows with two dances; Bill DeSuze Band (EMU Ballroom) Lloyd Cherrybird Spring Band (EMU main dining room).
• May 14 – Eric Burdon and War with Notary Sojac and Goo Lights opening

1970-71

• Oct 9  – Cold Blood with Leon Russell and Sea Train
• Nov 6 – The Fifth Dimension perform for the Homecoming Dance
• 1970 – Joe Morello (jazz)
• Jan 10 – Neil Young – Acoustic show with legendary blues singer John Hammond opening
• Feb 14  – B.B. King
• Feb 28 – Neil Diamond

1971-72

• Oct 20 – Heidelberg Blues Festival with Big Mama Thornton, Muddy Waters, Big Joe Turner, George Smith, BB Houston, JB Hutto (live recording was made)
• Dec 6  – Arlo Guthrie, Ry Cooder
• 1971 – It’s a Beautiful Day, Tower of Power
• 1971 – The Temptations
• 1971 – Mason Williams
• 1971 – Louis Armstrong
• Feb 13 – The Youngbloods, High Country
• 1972 – Mose Allison Trio & Kenny Burrell Trio Jazz Concert
• 1972 – Delaney & Bonnie and Friends, Barry Melton & the Fish
• 1972 – Seals & Crofts with Wheatfield opening

1973-74

• May 15, 1974 – Gordon Lightfoot
• 1974 – The Carpenters, Chick Corea, Kenny Burrell, Jerry Garcia, Tower of Power, Taj Mahal

1975-76

• Rufus, Chaka Khan — EMU??
• Feb – Dan Fogelberg/Fools Gold
• April – George Benson, Minnie Ripperton
• Janis Ian
• Neil Sedaka

1976-77

• Oct 30 – Waylon Jennings, Jessi Colter, The Waylors
• Nov 25 – Elvis Presley
• Nov 27 – Elvis Presley
• Mar 4 – Jethro Tull
• May 22 – Bonnie Raitt
• Stan Turrentine – or EMU?

1977-78

• April 1977 George Benson, Minnie Ripperton
• Oct 1977 – Doobie Brothers
• Nov 1977 – Jerry Jeff Walker, John Prine
• Nov 1977 – Randy Newman, Steve Goodman
• Dec 17, 1977 – Beach Boys
• Jan 22, 1978 – Grateful Dead
• June 6, 1978 – Jimmy Buffett
• 1977 – Bonnie Raitt

1978-79

• Sept 14, 1978 – Sammy Hagar, Boston
• Feb 4, 1979 – Commander Cody, Outlaws
• June 7, 1979 – Chic
• May 3, 1979 – Journey
• Aug 11, 1979 – Pat Traver, Roadmaster, Blue Oyster Cult

1979-80

• Dec 1979 – Karla Bonoff and Steve Forbert
• Mar 16, 1980 – Rush
• Mar 22, 1980 – Van Halen
• Mar 27, 1980 – Frank Zappa
• May 28, 1980 – Pat Travers, Def Leppard

1980-81

• Feb 23, 1981 – Jackson Browne
• Apr 15, 1981 – Jimmy Buffet
• Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash
• Willie Nelson

1981-82

• Aug 16, 1981 – Grateful Dead
• Oct 4, 1981 – Frank Zappa
• Nov 29, 1981 – Beach Boys

1982-83

• Feb 5, 1983 – Willie Nelson

1983-84

• May 29, 1984 – The Clash

1984-85

• Oct. 17, 1984 – The Fixx

1987-88

• Apr 1 – Screaming Trees

1988-89

• Sept 24  – Bob Dylan,Van Morrison & Lucinda Williams

2000’s

• Oct 5, 2002 – Bob Dylan
• Oct 31, 2002 – Everclear
• Apr 3, 2005 – Sting
• Oct 6, 2007 – Lil’ Wayne, Fat Joe, Sean Kingston, Charlie Murphy, Medium Troy
• Oct 8, 2009 – Bob Dylan