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Sign up for E-newsInteractive Basketball Experience Presented by Delphi to Tour Southeast Lower Michigan Area
The Detroit Pistons, Detroit Shock and Delphi Announce Summer Hoops Tour
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AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – The Detroit Pistons and Detroit Shock announce the 2003 Summer Hoops Tour, a mobile, interactive basketball experience that brings the excitement of Pistons and Shock basketball to fans throughout the summer. Presented by Delphi, the Summer Hoops Tour kicked off the season in downtown Detroit at the Movement 2003 Detroit Electronic Music Festival.
“This year, as in the past, has always has been about our commitment to the fan experience,” said Tom Wilson, president and CEO of the Detroit Pistons and Detroit Shock. “The Summer Hoops Tour is another unique and innovative way to fulfill this commitment and keep our fans of all ages, involved through the year. We are so pleased that Delphi has joined us for this Tour and are going to work hard at stops like the Woodward Dream Cruise and the Michigan State Fair, to reach our goal of interacting with three million fans this summer.”
The Summer Hoops Tour is centered around a customized 18-wheel, semi-truck which features six outdoor basketball hoops hosting fan shooting challenges on one side, basketball video game consoles on the opposite panel and a Pistons and Shock memorabilia Hall of Fame, including the actual 1989 and 1990 World Championship trophies, inside the trailer. Perhaps the most unique feature of the Summer Hoops Tour is a life-sized, animatronic George Blaha, the Voice of the Detroit Pistons for 28 years, who will be seated on “press row” and will do the play-by-play call of a significant Pistons moment. The animatronic Blaha will be available near the middle of June.
“Doing the Summer Hoops Tour is a great opportunity for us,” said Terry Marler, product manager of Delphi Product and Service Solutions. “We’re proud to be associated with a championship organization like the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons and Shock strive for quality in their effort and to be at the tops of games, and we’re doing the same.”
The Tour will run for 20 weeks throughout the summer and will travel to major events and retail locations throughout southeast, lower Michigan. The Tour will also make stops at various entertainment venues including The Palace, DTE Energy Music Theatre and the Meadowbrook Music Festival. A field staff of Tour Ambassadors will install, host and facilitate the Tour experience. Special guest appearances by Hooper the Pistons mascot, Zap the Shock mascot, Automotion, the Shock Wave Dancers, the Palace Patrol, Shock players and coaches and Pistons personalities will highlight the summer Tour stops.
For more information regarding the 2003 Summer Hoops Tour or for a schedule of upcoming Tour stops, please contact the Palace at (248) 377-0100 or log on to the Detroit Pistons Web site at www.pistons.com or the Detroit Shock Web site at www.detroitshock.com.
Festivities Include:
Basketball shooting contest (Win prizes)
Play Video games
View Pistons, Shock, and concert memorabilia
Listen to XM Radio brought to you by Delphi
View Pistons game highlights
Upcoming Summer Hoops Tour Schedule:
“This year, as in the past, has always has been about our commitment to the fan experience,” said Tom Wilson, president and CEO of the Detroit Pistons and Detroit Shock. “The Summer Hoops Tour is another unique and innovative way to fulfill this commitment and keep our fans of all ages, involved through the year. We are so pleased that Delphi has joined us for this Tour and are going to work hard at stops like the Woodward Dream Cruise and the Michigan State Fair, to reach our goal of interacting with three million fans this summer.”
 George Blaha (right) and the Animatronic George Blaha (left) on Press Row |
“Doing the Summer Hoops Tour is a great opportunity for us,” said Terry Marler, product manager of Delphi Product and Service Solutions. “We’re proud to be associated with a championship organization like the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons and Shock strive for quality in their effort and to be at the tops of games, and we’re doing the same.”
 The Summer Hoops Tour at the Michigan State Fair Dena Beth Krischer/Pistons Photo |
For more information regarding the 2003 Summer Hoops Tour or for a schedule of upcoming Tour stops, please contact the Palace at (248) 377-0100 or log on to the Detroit Pistons Web site at www.pistons.com or the Detroit Shock Web site at www.detroitshock.com.
Festivities Include:
Upcoming Summer Hoops Tour Schedule:
| Date | Time | Location |
| Tuesday, September 23rd | 12:00 noon - 7:00 p.m. | ABC Warehouse, Lakeside |
| Thursday, September 25th | 12:00 noon - 7:00 p.m. | ABC Warehouse, Southgate |
| Sunday, September 28th | 12:00 noon - 7:00 p.m. | I HOPE Block Party in Inkster At Middlebelt Rd. and Glenwood |
| Tuesday, September 30th | 12:00 noon - 7:00 p.m. | ABC Warehouse, Flint |
