Hugo has made it as one of 10 finalists for the next class to be inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame! The final round of voting begins today through Saturday, October 23.
Hugo the Hornet was introduced in 1998, during the first year of the new NBA expansion franchise in Charlotte, NC. Hugo’s name was selected from a 6,000-entry fan vote, however contrary to popular belief, he was not named after Hurricane Hugo that swept through the Carolinas in 1989.
The original mascot was designed by Cheryl Henson, daughter of Jim Henson (creator of the Muppets.) Alongside Hugo, was the spandex-wearing, acrobatic, slam dunking Super Hugo who was the first of its kind alter-ego dunking character. Super Hugo was one of many NBA mascots that came from the National Champion Arizona State University Gymnastics team. Super Hugo innovated cutting edge mini-trampoline dunks and never seen stunts such as the “Front Flip Dunk”, “Helmet Dunk” and “Bug on A Windshield” were his most famous.
In 2002, the Hornets and Hugo moved to New Orleans where the team eventually became the Pelicans. After 12 years, in 2014, Hugo the Hornet made is return to the Queen City reflecting the updated logo while sporting the ever popular purple and teal.
Hugo’s accomplishment’s and milestones include:
Hugo traveled the world performing in Australia, France, Spain, Mexico, South Africa, Nova Scotia, the Dominican Republic, China, Thailand, the Philippines and many more. In the 90’s, he frequently made appearances with Habitat for Humanity, DARE, and Read to Achieve. Currently, Hugo focusses on literacy with his Book Bus that travels over 5,000 miles a year, donates over 15,000 books and puts on reading shows at 200 schools a year for over 60,000 students.
Timeline:
- 1998: The Charlotte Hornets join the NBA as a new expansion team, Hugo was born.
- 1993: Super Hugo becomes 3-time NBA Mascot Slam Dunk Champion.
- 2002: The Charlotte Hornets leave for New Orleans and stay until 2013.
- 2014: The Hornets name return to Charlotte.
- June 5th, 2014: The newly designed Hugo the Hornet returns to Charlotte.
- 2014: The new Super Hugo returns to dunk for the first time.
Click HERE to vote for Hugo.