Hooper with the band Hush prior to the game. Dena Beth Krischer / Pistons Photo

Related Stories • Hooper's Stable • Kids Crew The Hooper Story

Born and raised in Lucky, KY, this 6'7 (weight unknown -afraid to ask), black stallion began his life as an equestrian horse. Coming from a family of ten, HOOPER wasn't your normal fancy horse. He was kind of a rough house! So, after leaving the equestrian league (actually after getting kicked out), HOOPER became depressed and would pace for hours in his stables eating his hay and oats. HOOPER didn't want to become like all the other horses so he decided to take drastic measures to rescue himself from a life of misery.



After debating long and hard about what he should do, HOOPER decided to leave his family and home and run far, far away!! Upon breaking out of the stables, HOOPER tried to hitchhike his way up north. He had some friends that lived in the Chicago area, so he decided to go up there and try to live the high life. After going through four years of Stable Construction from Horseshoe State University, HOOPER wanted to have some fun in his life, little did he know what he lay ahead from him.



After hours of traveling, HOOPER unfortunately made a wrong turn on I-94 and headed east towards Detroit. Out of money and out of luck, this hungry horse decided it would be best to get a part-time job to earn money to go hang out with his friends in Chicago. After trying to be an equestrian horse early in his career, HOOPER went the opposite direction and became a rodeo horse. Having the time of his life and earning tons of money, HOOPER thought that life was too good to be true. Life took a turn for the worse for HOOPER when a 450 lb. Cowboy tried for an amateur world record time and badly injured HOOPER's back and legs. It was time to leave the rodeo or be turned into glue.



Bored with life, HOOPER noticed that there was an open try-out for the Detroit Pistons of the NBA. HOOPER showed a lot of skill, but unfortunately his jump shot couldn't hit a barn. HOOPER was frustrated after being cut, by then head coach, Doug Collins. Walking to his car after another long hard night at the office, Tom Wilson, President of Palace Sports and Entertainment saw HOOPER moping around in the parking lot after being cut. After talking with HOOPER, Mr. Wilson decided to hire him as a Palace vendor. That idea backfired! HOOPER showed a lot of flare and emotion. He would dance in the stands and perform for fans, but he always spilled drinks on people.



After being let go by the Palace as a vendor, Tom Wilson struck an idea in his head. Why can't HOOPER be the official mascot for the Detroit Pistons? Now, the Pistons already had a mascot in Sir-Slam-A-Lot, but the organization sent him on a long vacation. A very long vacation!!!!



Since being introduced in the fall of 1996, HOOPER has made over 1,000 public appearances throughout the United States and looks forward to many more. From performing at Pistons home games to being at charity events, schools, grand openings and much more - HOOPER does it all.



