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Knight donates $100 million to UO
Most of that money will be used to build a new basketball arena

By Frank Lenzi

Aug 20, 2007

There is a lot more money in the University of Oregon Athletic
Department's coffers thanks to alum Phil Knight.

The Nike founder and his wife are pledging $100 million to create the
Oregon Athletics Legacy Fund, UO President Dave Frohnmayer announced
Monday. Most of that money will be used to build a new basketball
arena to replace McArthur Court. That arena, also known as "Mac Court"
and "The Pit" was built in 1926.

"This is an historic day for the University of Oregon," said
Frohnmayer. "Phil and Penny Knight are long and generous supporters of
the university...We are deeply moved by their unprecedented generosity."

The $100 million from the Knights is the largest philanthropic
donation in the university's history.

UO Athletic Director Pat Kilkenny made the announcement with
Frohnmayer on Monday.

"This extraordinary gift will set Oregon athletics on a course toward
certain self sufficiency and create the flexibility and financial
capacity for the University to move forward with the new athletic
arena. Now we can roll up our sleeves and get to work on making the
arena a reality," said Kilkenny.