Newspapers / Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.) / April 4, 1996, edition 2 / Page 7
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In 1939, the team played its first game outside the U.S. as they toured Canada and played its first basketball championship tourna ment, losing to the New York Rens. Clowning Around One night during a game, the Globetrotters led their opponent by 112-5 and began to clown around. The crowd loved it. After the game Saperstein told his players it was okay to add more clowning in the games, but only when they had a safe lead on the scoreboard. Inman Jackson gave the team its "Clown Prince of Basketball" role and creat ed the pivot position now used by all levels of basketball. In 1940, the team clinched its fist World Basketball Championship, defeating the Chicago Bruins in overtime. In 1942 Reece "Goose" Tatum joined the team. He quickly proved himself to be a basketball genius and a talented comedian. "Goose" created most of the team's classic comedy routines. That same year, the Globetrotters made their first trip south of the border, winning the International Cup Tournament in Mexico City. In 1945, Bold Buie, who had only one arm, joined the Globetrotters. Averaging an amaz ing 18 points per game, he dazzled crowds with his skill and courage. In 1946, the Globetrotters celebrated ttieir 20th season, played their 3,000th game and made their first overseas trip. In 1949, the Globetrotters became the first professional team to tour what is now Alaska. After traveling by dog sled to appear 3* ,vm . * Xi jTaj! * *#> w JB&F <% * ^ ?* ,% - W-fl ? * " vj*1 ^ i,jp~ liK 4 . - ? % 77ir Globetrotters earn a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame. before an Eskimo audience, the players were puzzled when the crowd neither laughed nor clapped. The team later learned that the Eskimo's silence showed apprecia tion. The 1950s saw the Globetrotters tour South America, appear on television's Ed Sullivan Show" and nine straight World Series of Basketball titles over the College All-Americans. The team was also the subject of two movies. Founder Abe Saperstein died in 1966. The Globetrotters were a big hit on television. A Saturday morn ing cartoon series based on the team debuted in 1970. er. team's famous "Magic Circle" but The Globetrotters have earned was the only white player to ever many honors. In 1985 the wear the Globetrotters' red, white Smithsonian Institute's National and Wue uniform. He amazed World Museum of American Social War TNu diences with his trademark History unveiled a permanent dis- behind-the-back backhand shot and play spotlighting the Globetrotters, the yo-yo trick baskettball. The team also has a star on Hollywood's Walk, of Fame. And in A Black Owner 1989 the team received the General In 1993 the team returned to its Omar N. Bradley Spirit of roots on a Harlem basketball court Independence Award for its hard as former Globetrotter Mannie 4T - * * * .v J* A Tram ma^ror G!nhcy dc>"* ? a young fan. The one-hour, musical variety special, "The Harlem Globetrotters Popcorn Machine" aired in 1972. Throughout the years, the team has lived up to its name, wowing crowds around the globe. For exam ple, the Globetrotters first toured Africa in 1978. First Female PI aver Siened In 1985, the Globetrotters signed Olympic Gold Medalist Lvnette Woodard as the first female T*?rofe>siona! p'.o ? 'HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS., C- MMtFM THOMAS iNrfMMT>n?U <ft. ? 3IV1S40* 0> *,? t?f /V ^ work. high morals, discipline, courage and leadership. The team has also paid tribute to others, naming actor Whoopi Goldberg as an honorary Harlem Globetrotter, and presenting former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Colin Powell with an offical uni form and game ball. Further, the team has honored its own. awarding Harlem Globetrotters Legends rings to former players such as Fred "Curly" Neal. famous for his bald head; Connie Hawkins, who went on to play for the Phoenix Suns; and Bob Karstens, the oldest liv ing! team member. ? v?. .? ..,1. ~ I .t- - Jackson purchased the team, becom ing the first African American to own a major international sports/entertainment organization. "The Harlem Globetrotters remain America's true goodwill ambas sadors and ideal role models for today s youth." says Jackson, the team's chairman and ow ner Globetrotter Bobb\ Joe Mason recenth visited Winston-Salem's Central YMCA. He urged kids to get an education "Get some sense; stay in school. No matter what you do. the basketball will stop bounc ing. No matter how well you learn basketball*, vou [need; something to
Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
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April 4, 1996, edition 2
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