I’m watching the Harlem Globetrotters on ESPN2.  It’s the first time that I’ve watched them in a while.  A couple of years ago, I learned much more about them when someone from their front office called to talk about the top small college players in the country.  One of our players from the original Collegiate Basketball Invitational, Anthony “Ant” Atkinson, is now one of their stars. 

I encourage you to do a little research about the history and mission of the Harlem Globetrotters.  Certainly, I’ve known about their famous red, white and blue uniforms and the fun that they have on the court.  The on-court entertaining style of play, fun interaction with the fans, the “bucket trick”, etc. have been staples for years.  I didn’t realize - until I got that call a few years ago and began to learn more about them -  the depth of their history and the tremendous amount of good will that they spread around the globe, literally.  They are some of the great ambassadors for the game of basketball, and they put smiles on the faces of people all over the world. 

The Globetrotters were founded in 1926 by the world-renowned promoter Abe Saperstein.  They have now played over 25,000 games, entertaining everyone from Presidents to Popes.  They are now in their 85th year, and have literally played in over 100 countries in the world. 

About one or two years ago, I spent an evening with Marques Haynes, just talking history and basketball, not even realizing that he was the first person ever inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame as a Globetrotter.  In a four-decade career, Haynes played in more than 12,000 games, traveled more than four million miles and entertained fans in nearly 100 countries around the globe.  As a former NAIA player at Langston (OK), he finished his career with a 112-3 record.  You read that correctly: 112-3.  Haynes is a member of the NAIA Hall of Fame, Langston Hall of Fame.  The court at Langston is now named after him, while he is one of only five Globetrotters ever to have their jersey number retired.

After doing a little research on Marques Haynes, my night turned out to be even more special than I realized at the time.

Again, I encourage you to do a little more research on the Harlem Globetrotters.  Dig a little deeper than what you see on television.  Through basketball, they make people smile.  They make people happy.   The Globetrotters are truly global ambassadors for the great game of basketball.