Globetrotting to TC

When the Harlem Globetrotters take to the court against the New York Nationals January 27 at Traverse City Central High School, the outcome is almost certain. In 79 years the Globetrotters have amassed 21,079 wins to only 351 losses. It is not about winning or losing that draws sellout crowds in every state and 31 countries, it is about the show and the Globetrotters being the “Clown Prince of the Court.” From the moment one enters the arena until one leaves, the fun never stops.
While fun and on court antics are the backbone of the Globetrotters show, there is serious basketball being played. Many of the players were college all-stars and some are even talented enough to play in the NBA.
“We play 200 games a year and practice two hours a day,” said Otis “Mr. OK” Key. “That 82 game NBA schedule sounds pretty good right now. Actually all of us would prefer to be where we are at and in fact, we know a few guys in the NBA that would like to be Globetrotters.”
For Key and the others who have been lucky enough to wear a Globetrotter uniform; there is something special about that honor.
“Once you are a Globetrotter you are always a Globetrotter,” said Key. “That includes the day you quit playing-you remain a Globetrotter forever and not many professional athletes can say that.”
The Globetrotters have many famous alumni, from comedian Bill Cosby, to NBA greats Wilt Chamberlain and Connie Hawkins. Even baseball great Bob Gibson played for the Globetrotters before joining the St. Louis Cardinals and leading them to the World Series Championship.
While these are all noted greats, it is the “career players” who have attracted the fans year after year. Marques Haynes who had a 40-year basketball career and is considered to be the best dribbler/ball handler of all time at any level, never played in the NBA despite being good enough. Haynes did however lead the Globetrotters in an upset win over the NBA champions Minneapolis Lakers in 1948 and then again in 1949.
During the 1960’s and 1970’s the Globetrotters were led by two characters, Meadow “The Clown Prince” Lemon and Fred “Curly” Neal. The two delighted fans with their on court wizardry and sideline antics with the fans who have become trademarks at all games.
“Yeah we still do the water bucket and the purse snatching,” said Key. “We have kept the old stuff and added plenty of new things to keep the fans coming back.”
The Globetrotters have a wide range of fans from three to 93. “It is great to look up in the crowd and see three generations of fans coming together to see us,” said Key. “We see these grandparents bringing their grandkids to the games because they had fun and they know that this is good, clean, wholesome entertainment.”
Fans also come from all over the world, only Michael Jordan has more name recognition in the sports world. The Globetrotters rank second, ahead of Tiger Woods. One of their biggest fans is Pope John Paul II who asked them to come to St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. Not only did they delight 50,000 fans, they made the Pope an honorary member of the Globetrotters. Other honorary members include Bob Hope and Henry Kissinger who were both also big fans of the “Trotters.”
When Premier Deng-Hsiao Ping of the People’s Republic of China made an historic visit to the United States in 1979, one of his requests was to meet the Harlem Globetrotters. The team plays a special exhibition for him, which is broadcast by satellite back to China to 900 million viewers.
The Globetrotters were founded in 1926, and in their early years they attracted many players who were good enough for the NBA but because for the color of their skin. By the 1940’s and 50’s, they were playing exhibition games all over the world - beating the best pro, college and foreign teams in the world.
As African Americans made their way into the pro ranks in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s, the Globetrotters moved in the direction of “entertaining” at their games, but by no means did their quality of play diminish during one stretch of nearly 10,000 games between 1960 and 2000. The team only lost 2 games, including in the year 2000 when the eventual national champion Michigan State Spartans beat them, snapping the Globetrotters’ several thousand game win streak.
“We play basketball first, we practice hard to master skills and to win,” said Key. “Sure, all the antics are great, but we are about basketball. It is also important that we show people that you can play good basketball, have fun and not be so competitive about it.”
Not only are the Globetrotters “Ambassadors of Goodwill” on the court, but they are equally so, off the court. The team has contributed millions of dollars to charity and players spend time in every community they visit, going to hospitals and schools. They are donating the proceeds from the sale of their 2005 game program to the Tsunami Relief Fund at the Red Cross and have agreed to collect additional donations at each stop, and match those donations dollar for dollar. Key is proud of the fact that the team is a positive ambassador for America as well.
“In recent years America has lost favor with some overseas,” said Key. “But we get a positive response and welcome everywhere we go, regardless of the country we are playing in.”
The Globetrotters are reeling in success these days; the team has reclaimed its popularity of the 1960’s and 1970’s. They have become so popular that they have two teams on the road to meet the demand. There was a time just after Meadowlark Lemon and Curly Neal retired that the team stuttered. By the end of 1980’s the team was near bankruptcy. Former Globetrotter standout Mannie Jackson bought the franchise in 1993 and returned them to their glory. Otis “Mr. OK” Key sees a new generation of fans connecting to their own Meadowlark Lemon’s and Curly Neal’s.
“We have Paul ‘Showtime’ Gaffney, along with Matt ‘Showbiz’ Jackson. Jackson makes half court shots behind his back. Our dazzling dribbler Curly “Boo” Johnson, along with highflying dunkers Kris Bruton and Mike “The Saint” St. Julien all add to the excitement on the court,” said Key. “Speaking of highfliers we also have Michael “Wild Thing” Wilson who holds the world dunking record of 12 feet, 1 inch.”
The fun begins 7 pm, with doors opening at 6 pm. Tickets are selling quickly and the Traverse City Central Athletic Office encourages buying your tickets in advance by calling their office at 231-933-8208. If tickets remain they will be available at the door. Proceeds will benefit Trojan athletic teams and the Kalkaska Chamber of Commerce. Get there early because when the song “Sweet Georgia Brown” starts playing, that means The Globetrotters have formed their famous center court circle and the action begins. Hold onto your purses and watch out for the player with the bucket of water. Plan to stay afterwards, as the players stick around and sign autographs.

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