McArthur Court's iconic three balconies gave fans some of the best cheap-seat views in sports.

Perhaps my most cherished childhood memory happened here.

In fact, it was probably the moment I was destined to become a University of Oregon student, a member of the student section known as The Pit Crew, a Duck.

I was 9.

McArthur Court was a magical place. Her three balconies rose straight up like a skyscraper. Her views for spectators at the top were among the rarest and best cheap seats in sports, but after 84 years and 1,116 men’s basketball games, it’s time for her to retire.

On New Years Day, 2011, she did. A less-than-capacity crowd came alive several times during the Ducks’ 60-55 loss to Arizona State, though not quite at the same intensity level as it had in years prior.

Throughout her life, Mac Court was home to some great basketball. Some pretty awful basketball, too. Sadly, in her later years, it’s been far more of the latter.

If the basketball has been bad, Mac Court’s deterioration has been worse, at no fault of those charged with maintaining her. If you sat in the third balcony, your senses would warn you of severe danger; the floor beneath you would shake at your slightest movement, and you’d become aware of the large cracks in the wooden rafters that support the balcony. Then there was just the extreme height over the arena floor. It wasn’t much better in the second balcony, where fear of the top balcony collapsing on you felt very real.

Cracks in the wood beam didn't lead to much confidence in McArthur Court's structural integrity

Maybe it’s a good thing Mac Court hasn’t sold out in years, because when the Ducks were playing well, the whole building would shake. As scary as it was, though, it was all part of her charm. At times, the backboard would shake so much, opposing players would miss free throws.

Autzen Stadium, where the Ducks play football, has become known as one of the best home-field advantages in sports. It doesn’t come close to Mac Court when the crowd was in the game.

Which brings us back to a 9-year-old kid.

The Pit Crew sends all their good will towards an Oregon player shooting a free-throw.

On March 12, 1994, Oregon was hosting UCLA. It was the final game of the season. The Bruins were one of the best teams in the country. The Ducks were 6-17 going into the game. Yet Oregon, led by my childhood heroes Kenya Wilkins and Orlando Williams, pulled off a spectacular one-point upset. The students rushed the court. From the first balcony, I attempted to jump the wall and join them, but my father reached out and grabbed the collar on the back of my neck.

For the first time, I was exposed to the magic of McArthur Court.

And on New Year’s Day, I experienced her magic for the final time.

Photos from McArthur Court’s final game

(Click to enlarge)