Bill Roth is stepping again into the highlight and the rabbit swimsuit because the Philadelphia 76ers revive their beloved mascot Hip-Hop on November 8, marking the twenty fifth anniversary of the workforce’s 2001 NBA Finals run.

The 55-year-old former gymnast, who introduced the energetic character to life from 1998 to 2011, will return to middle court docket when the Sixers host the Toronto Raptors.

The shock revival was sparked by a go to from two workforce executives to Roth’s CrossPoint Gymnastics facility in Upper Chichester, Pennsylvania.

“They said, ‘What would you say if we wanted to bring Hip-Hop back?’” Roth recalled. “I was, probably for the first time in my life, speechless.”

The Sixers are additionally bringing again the black jerseys worn throughout their memorable playoff run led by Allen Iverson.

Roth’s return as Hip-Hop is a part of the celebration, and he’s been coaching to satisfy the bodily calls for of the position once more.

“There’s always been that little piece that’s never left me,” Roth defined. “Because it was such a big part of my life for so many years.”

Roth’s background as a U.S. males’s nationwide creative gymnastics workforce member and a medalist on the 1995 Pan American Games made him a great match for the high-flying mascot.

His stunts and flips grew to become a staple of Sixers dwelling video games through the workforce’s most profitable stretch in latest many years.

“The Sixers had to trust me as the character to represent them out in public in a positive way,” Roth stated. “In here, I have to earn the trust of these young kids doing these incredibly dangerous skills, so there are definitely crossovers with coaching gymnastics and being Hip-Hop.”

Roth, who was 27 when he first wore the costume, carried out at 41 video games a season till the mascot was retired in 2011 underneath new possession.

Now, practically three many years later, he’s getting ready for a one-night-only return that brings his journey full circle.

“I miss the people I came into contact with,” Roth stated. “I miss the coworkers, the security guards, the fans. I miss the people, just interacting with them. So did I ever think I’d put the costume on again? No. But am I excited about it because again it brings back these amazing memories? Yeah.”

The Sixers will honor their 2001 Finals workforce through the November 8 dwelling sport towards the Raptors.

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