UO Coaches' Quotes

Oregon Men's Basketball Coach Ernie Kent

“This is a wonderful day for the University of Oregon. Sometimes it is hard to put into words the gratitude for Phil and Penny Knight and all that they have done for this great institution. Their generosity, their passionate love and support for Oregon athletics, and their understanding of the correlation between athletic and academic success is unparalleled.

“There have been so many people that have given their financial support, their time and their energy to this project to finally get to this point and make this a very special moment in the history of the University of Oregon.

“This will give our basketball program an opportunity to have one of the elite facilities in all of college basketball.”

Oregon Women's Basketball Coach Bev Smith

"The reality of a new arena for the University of Oregon is incredibly exciting and certainly a dream come true.

"There is no better way to bring the 21st century of college athletics to Oregon than this state-of-the-art facility. Yet for me, this building will serve as more than just a sports arena; it will greatly enhance Oregon’s tradition of innovative minds and cutting edge mentality, that we see both on the athletic fields and floors, as well as in the classroom.

"To Phil and Penny Knight in particular, and to the many other generous supporters of Oregon Athletics, THANK YOU for your vision, your belief, and your tremendous commitment to the University of Oregon and its greatest resource; our students!"

Oregon Women's Volleyball Coach Jim Moore

“We’re very excited. This helps our program, the university, the city and the entire athletics department. It not only helps all three programs recruit better student-athletes to the university, but will allow us to take our program to a level that has previously never been attained.

“I want to thank Phil and Penny Knight and all of our loyal supporters, who have displayed the foresight to enhance the student-athletes’ experience not only on the courts of competition but in their lives beyond the University of Oregon."

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