The Harlem Globetrotters celebrate 100th Anniversary Tour with stop at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
By: Kevin Vickery
When I first heard that the world renowned Harlem Globetrotters were coming to the Capital City, I instantly knew I wanted to take the kids to see the show but I’ll admit I was surprised when I read that it was their centennial anniversary. I really had no idea that they had been around for 100 years. Even though I enjoyed them as a kid, that was only a mere 50 years ago and I didn’t realize that their history went back so much further.
Their “exhibition style” as a basketball team which combines athleticism, theatrical performance, family friendly entertainment, and comedy in their games dates back to 1926 at Giles American Legion Post #87, on the South Side of Chicago, where all the original players were raised and went to Wendell Phillips High school in the Bronzeville neighborhood. In these early years, the Globetrotters played a more series game and regularly competed in events like the World Professional Basketball Tournament, winning it in 1940 and even defeating the Minneapolis Lakers in 1948.
The Globetrotters popularity was eventually over-shadowed by the rise of the National Basketball Association (NBA), particularly when NBA teams began recruiting black players in the 1950s. Harlem Globetrotter Chuck Cooper became the first black player to be drafted in the NBA by Boston, and teammate Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton became the first black player to sign an NBA contract when the New York Knicks purchased his contract from the Globetrotters. Even the legendary, Wilt “The Stilt” Chamberlin played for the Globetrotters in 1958-59 before making his way into the NBA and becoming a two-time champion.
The Globetrotters had already gradually been working comic routines into their act which the team has credited to Reece “Goose” Tatum who joined in 1941 and eventually became known more for entertainment than sports.
The Globetrotters’ acts often feature incredible coordination and skillful handling of one or more basketballs, such as passing or juggling balls between players (the figure-eight weave), balancing or spinning balls on their fingertips, and making difficult trick-shots. In 1952, the Globetrotters added team, the Washington Generals (who also played under various other names), to become the Globetrotters’ primary opponents. The Generals are essentially stooges for the Globetrotters antics, with the Globetrotters easily defeating them in thousands of games.
Similarly to a lot of people around my age, I first became aware of the Harlem Globetrotters in the late 70s and early 80’s when their line-op included, greats like Fred “Curly” Neal, Hubert “Geese” Ausbie, “Sweet” Lou Dunbar, and Meadowlark Lemon who have all had their numbers retired by the organization as well as Wilt Chamberlain.
Like any normal Hoosier kid, I was a Larry Bird fan during the peak years of his rivalry with Magic Johnson and I marveled at other “real” basketball players like Julius “Doctor J.” Erving and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar but I think I liked the Globetrotters even more. When I’d shoot around alone in my back yard, the ten year old version of me would constantly whistle, their theme song “Sweet George Brown”. Sure, I’d work on fundamentals like free-throws and lay-ups but somehow I thought juggling three basketballs and spinning the ball on one finger was equally important.
The Globetrotters make those stunts look easy. I always thought it was the same way a magician makes a kid easily believe their tricks are real, except the Globetrotters were in fact, actually really doing the tricks. They were using real skills instead of smoke and mirrors.
Plus, they had their own Sunday morning cartoon series, appeared on two episodes of Scooby-Doo, and made a full length movie, “The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan’s Island” in 1981. Like I said Bird and Magic were cool but at the time, to me these guys were WAY cooler.
In modern day, they are every bit as skilled and just as cool as ever. Their current line-up consisting of: “Hammer” Harrison, “Torch” George, “Hot Shot” Swanson, “Wham” Middleton, “Too Tall” Winston, “Ace” Porter, “Dazzle” Kidon, “Diesel” Kirkendoll and many others in their rotation of players put on a show that’s heavy on tricks, comedy and family fun.
Indianapolis, IN
I had been a little concerned that my daughters wouldn’t fully appreciate the experience with them not being basketball players or enthusiasts and their only exposure to the Harlem Globetrotters being through the “Gonoodle” videos (look it up) that they had watched when they were very young, but the team brought them a show that kept them smiling from ear to ear.
They had a genuinely good time as they watched the Globetrotters hand the Generals a 123 to 121 point loss at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
My youngest daughter, Delia said of the experience, “I really liked when they would hang upside down on the goal.” Adding, “My favorite part of the show was when they had everyone do the wave in reverse and slow motion”. This was during their fourth quarter “football play”, which I must agree was definitely a highlight of their performance.
Personally, I thought it was great to see how much they incorporated the crowd, particularly children into the show. Players went into the stands to interact with families and make them part of the comedy as well as bringing kids down on the court for shooting, ball spinning and other contests for prizes.
My kids along with all the younger crowd seemed to particularly enjoy the dancing of “Globie”, the team’s mascot and hundreds of kids stood in line after the game for autographs and photos with the players who seemed genuinely happy to participate.
I would add that the best part for me was at halftime when the Globetrotters presented Hoosier native and basketball great, Hallie Bryant with the team’s, “Legends” award. Bryant who attended and played basketball at Crispus Attucks High School in Indianapolis was Indiana’s “Mr. Basketball” in 1953, and was a stand-out on the Indiana University basketball squad before landing a slot with the Globetrotters for 13 years as a player and another 14 years in public relations.
At 92 years old, Bryant is the oldest living person to have worn the Globetrotters uniform and traveled to 88 countries while with the team.
Interestingly, the team has a list of “Honorary Globetrotters” wich have been bestowed with that title over the years including, Henry Kissinger, Bob Hope, Nelson Mandela, Jessie Jackson, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Pope Francis, and Pope John Paul II along with a few others.
Suffice to say. the Harlem Globetrotters are worldwide icons, whose name is synonymous with family entertainment, great basketball skills, breaking down barriers, acts of goodwill and a commitment to fans that goes beyond the game.
The Globetrotters have entertained more than 148 million fans during 26,000 games in 124 countries and territories worldwide, introducing many to the sport of basketball for their first time.
Today, the Globetrotters continue bringing their unmatched style of incredible ball handling, fan interactive entertainment, and family-friendly comedy to millions of fans around the world with over 400 games per year in more than 25 countries.
In all, nearly 750 men and women have played for the world famous Globetrotters team entertaining popes, kings, queens and presidents around the globe over the last 100 years.
Off the court the Globetrotters organization remains steadfast in its commitment to being ambassadors of goodwill, going beyond their live events to uphold the team’s legacy of deep social engagement in local communities.
In a world full of NBA crybabies, we need more Globetrotters. I’m hoping they stick around for another hundred years.
For more information about the Harlem Globetrotters history, schedule, roster or to purchase their merchandise visit their official website at harlemglobetrotters.com
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