David Pardington knows that spending a night out with a daughter is something special. And when he can do it with all four of his daughters, it’s even better. That’s why Pardington brought his family to the Detroit Shock game against the Minnesota Lynx Tuesday night, which was the first of three “Dads & Daughters” nights this season.

For less than $70 for all six family members, Pardington received game tickets, exclusive access to the Shock and Pistons’ practice facility and a chance to meet the Shock assistant coach Rick Mahorn. “I thought it would be a good night out for the girls, so we were happy to take advantage of it,” said David, who decided to surprise his family with the night out.

“They didn’t know until we pulled in where we were going,” said David’s wife, Mary Beth. “I had to ask them, ‘do you have any homework?’ And they said ‘oh, no Mom, we can go.” David’s daughters - Catherine, 11; Sarah, 10; Veronica, 6; and Mary Kate, 4 - started the evening with the rest of the dads and daughters at the Shock’s practice facility across from The Palace.

The dad and daughters (all 12 years or younger) competed in a dribble, pass and shoot competition on the Shock practice court. Coming from work, David wasn’t exactly prepared for a lot of running. “I didn’t know we got to go on the court,” he said. He raced with his four daughters in just socks, which worried his Mary Beth. “I wish he brought his tennis shoes,” she said. “But I had my camera ready in case he was going to (slip).”

Instead of falling, David and his daughter, Veronica, placed second in the 7-and-under group and won a Bill Laimbeer bobblehead doll and a WNBA backpack. “I was very proud of them, and for all the girls,” Mary Beth said. “Every girl tried which I thought was great.”

Older sister Sarah didn’t get jealous, as siblings are known to do. She was excited for Veronica and her dad. “The best part was that my sister won something, and she was very proud of it,” she said.

The dads and daughters then crossed the parking lot to The Palace, where they sat courtside and met Coach Mahorn while the Shock warmed up. Afterward the Pardingtons found their seats for the game behind the Shock bench and cheered the Shock to an 85-75 victory.

“It’s been great a time,” Mary Beth said. “At first the score had been back and forth and back and forth, but when the Shock took off they did very well. Their rebounds have been fantastic. It’s been really fun.”

A working father with four young girls probably doesn’t have a lot of free time, and wouldn’t spend it running around his socks. But with 15 more Shock games, including two more “Dads & Daughters” Nights, David plans to work it into his family’s busy schedule. And bring tennis shoes next time.

“We’ll come back,” David said. “We appreciate the Daddy Daughter night. (It’s) a special price, a special evening. It was good for us.”

The next two “Dads & Daughters” Nights are is Wed., May 30, against the Mystics and Wed., June 27, against the Sun. “Dads & Daughters” tickets are $15 apiece, and can be purchased through The Palace box office at 248.377.0100, or by clicking here.