March 6, 2016 
Chip Hooper loved to joke around. Even when he lay on his death bed he joked with his son, senior Oakland guard Max Hooper, to "keep that Kay Felder out of trouble."
The dad and son shared one final laugh about 45 minutes after a satisfying victory over the University of Detroit Mercy.
This happened a week ago near the loading dock in the back of the O'rena after a surprise visit by the dad to see his son play one last time. Max leaned low and spoke softly to his father. He laid his head on his chest and savored that one last moment. And then Chip and Max had the perfect moment, that final moment we'd all be lucky to have to say goodbye to a loved one.
"I love you son," the dad said.
"I love you dad." countered the son.
Chip Hooper died Saturday night from cancer and Max is in California to spend a day with his family. And then he is expected to return and play Monday night in the Horizon League semifinals against either Wright State or Detroit at 9:30 p.m. But Hooper has 100 percent support to stay behind and be with family.
The decision to play is up to Hooper as it should be. If he wants to dedicate the performance of his life to his dad, I totally understand it. If he'd prefer to be with family that should be understood also. We always say family is more important than sports. However, there are plenty of athletes that want to hit that stage and dedicate performances to their parent.
My guess is we will see Max Hooper play Monday night.
"We don't really know," Kampe said. "Like I told his mom (Laura) if it is too hard to come back then he should not come back. He needs to do what's best for Max Hooper and the family and not whatever is best for Oakland. But with that said, every three he has hit is for his dad. It would not surprise me if he is here."
This has been a tough weekend for Kampe. He spent time Saturday in his home town of Defiance, Ohio celebrating the life of old classmate Vandee Dennis who also died of cancer. She was part of a close knit group of classmates who kept in touch and hung out together. After he left her funeral he was told about the death of Chip Hooper.
Chip is more than just a parent. Kampe considered him a friend and admired the hard scrabbled rise of Chip Hooper from a poor Chicago kid who turned into one of the giant executives of the music industry.
Kampe admires blue collar work ethic especially when it remains after people become a success.
Chip was a successful music executive for Paradigm Talent at Literary Agency where he help manage more than 700 artists and 40 agents. In 2014, he made Billboard magazine's Power 100 list.
"He's a transcending figure in the music industry," Kampe said. "But you wouldn't know it by sitting and talking to him. He was a down to Earth guy who loved his son and loved basketball. Of the 350 Division I coaches, he probably shook hands with 300 of them. He knew everyone. He wanted to give his son every chance he could."
Chip was proud of his son. After the Black and Gold's 99-93 overtime loss to then No. 1 Michigan State, he told Kampe he was excited that Max had a flagrant foul. He also bragged that his son was finally playing defense. Even though he loved his son, he was not afraid to point out his flaws and he often told Max to rely on Felder who'd be instrumental in making him better. That is one of the reasons one of his final jokes was about Oakland's dynamic point guard.
The final joke between father and son does not surprise Kampe. This is who Chip Hooper was.
"He always said that Kay Felder is the reason why you are going to go to the NCAA tournament," Kampe said. "He will pass you the ball. You will get shots because of him. That is just who he really was. He was a really, really nice man and a really good person. That (Felder) line tells you all you need to know about him."
In 1989 I covered the Bad Boys Pistons NBA Finals series against the Portland Trailblazers. About 90 minutes prior to tip-off in Game 2, guard Joe Dumars' dad Joe II died of congestive heart failure in Louisiana. Dumars knew the end was near but told his wife Debbie not to tell him if he died before a game. Dumars scored 33 points in that game and hit one magical shot off the top of the backboard and shrugged to teammate Isiah Thomas.
"That was a gift from your dad," Thomas would say later.
Kampe would not be surprised if the same thing happens with Hooper.
"If I were a betting man I would say he would be here," Kampe said. "But flying four hours there and four hours back, and to be able to play is tough. I am going to play him. Everybody grieves differently, but I think in Max's case he wants to get back. We all grieve differently. Dumars wanted to play for his dad. Some guys might not have the strength to do that. I believe in Max's case he wants to get back. It would not surprise me if he hits eight threes and it would not surprise me if he was the worst he could be. As a coach, I am going to give him an opportunity. I owe him that opportunity, but I owe my team the best opportunity to win."
This is a tough mix between honoring a loved one and supporting family, honoring a grieving family and a team that wants to advance to the NCAA tournament.
#WEARtheBEAR
Fans can reach Foster at Terry.Foster@cbsradio.com
