Becoming the Globetrotters Have you ever dreamed of being a professional basketball player? Today, men and women of nearly every nationality compete in professional leagues all over the world. But the National Basketball Association (NBA) wasn’t formed until 1949. In the 1920s and 1930s, teams in the United States traveled from town to town without the structure of a league, playing other teams for the entertainment of the townspeople. This type of play is called barnstorming. One special team formed in 1926 in Chicago and later became known as the Harlem Globetrotters. This week, The Mini Page learns more about this historical barnstorming basketball team that’s still entertaining fans today.
White players only Many early barnstorming teams did not allow African-American players. A group of friends who had graduated from Chicago’s all-black Wendell Phillips High School got a team together and played at the Savoy Ballroom there. They called themselves the Savoy Big Five. But it was difficult for the team to book, or arrange, games because they weren’t very well known. Their manager asked for help from a white youth league coach, Abe Saperstein.
Separate teams Some of the best early basketball teams were segregated, or divided by their race or ethnic background. For example, teams of Jewish, Irish, Swedish and Chinese players barnstormed on the East Coast and beyond. People living outside of large cities were interested in seeing people of other races. Remember, they didn’t have television or the Internet to show them other parts of the world. Barnstorming teams gave audiences a glimpse of a world beyond their reach.
The New York Globetrotters 1930-31 team. Coach Abe Saperstein is on the left. Players, standing left to right, are Walter “Toots” Wright, Byron Long, Inman Jackson and William “Kid” Oliver. Al “Runt” Pullins is sitting down.Saperstein later renamed the team the Harlem Globetrotters. He thought the reference to the New York neighborhood would let people know that the team was African-American and would seem exotic to audiences in smaller cities.
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An early basketball
Rough basketball Did you notice the knee pads the players wear in the photo above? In those days, basketball was a much rougher game. Many modern rules were not in use yet, and some games were played inside a wire cage that separated the spectators from the court!
Words that remind us of the Harlem Globetrotters are hidden below. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find: ACCESSIBLE, BARNSTORM, BASKETBALL, CLOWNING, ENTERTAINMENT, FUN, GLOBETROTTERS, GOODWILL, HARLEM, HUMOR, LEAGUE, MEN, PLAY, SPORT, TEAM, TRAVEL, TRICKS, WINS, WOMEN.
Globetrotters try ’n’find
The ’TroTTers are courT clowns!
M T N E M N I A T R E T N E J R A E L B I S S E C C A P R G O M E L R A H Q P U K W L O O T N B T L P N E M O G C A M O S E Q R E S S N I W R A Y U D N M F N V Z S K C I R T E H W R O U C A G N I N W O L C L I A W N M R B A S K E T B A L L B S R E T T O R T E B O L G L
The Mini Page provides ideas for websites, books or other resources that will help you learn more about this week’s topics.On the Web:• harlemglobetrotters.com• bit.ly/KzEY81• bit.ly/KD7zIQAt the library: • “The Harlem Globetrotters” by Josh Wilker • “A Piece of Paper” by TyRone “Hollywood” Brown
The Harlem Globetrotters’ record in their third year was 151 wins and 13 losses, but the team still struggled to make money and pay the players. Times were hard, and people didn’t have much extra money for entertainment. But the team stayed together. In many towns where they played, hotels and restaurants wouldn’t serve the black players. Sometimes they had to sleep in Saperstein’s car.Using humor If the team felt too much racial tension during a game, they might start clowning around to try to make people laugh. For instance, in a tense game in Canada, Globetrotter “Runt” Pullins smiled as he dribbled between his legs, and “Kid” Oliver tossed the ball high in the air and let it land on the back of his neck, then roll down his arm. The crowd, which had started out angry, ended up laughing.
Globetrotting milestones • 1943 — Bob Karstens becomes the first Caucasian player on the Harlem Globetrotters. • 1952 — “Sweet Georgia Brown” becomes the official theme song of the Globetrotters. (Listen here: 1.usa.gov/Ku9obJ) • 1954 — “Meadowlark” Lemon joins the Globetrotters, starting a 24-year career with the team. • 1968 — The Harlem Globetrotters play their first game in Harlem, N.Y.
• 1985 — Lynette Woodard becomes the first female Harlem Globetrotter. • 2002 — Globetrotters inducted as a team into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Abe Saperstein realized that his players could win games and be entertaining with their funny tricks on the court. This would make them more popular with opposing teams, who might invite them back.Serious basketball But it wasn’t all fun and games for the Globetrotters. They wanted to win. In 1940, the Globetrotters beat the Chicago Bruins by just one basket in overtime during the finals of the second World Professional Basketball Tournament in Chicago. The win helped make the team famous.
Bob Karstens
Lynette Woodard
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In 1950, the Globetrotters began their first international tour.Here, Marques Haynes stays dry during a rainy outdoor game in France in 1951.
You’ll need:• 1 (6-ounce) box long-grain and wild rice with seasoning• 2 cups chicken broth• 1/2 cup raisins• 1/2 cup dried apricots, cut in small pieces• 1/2 cup dried cherriesWhat to do:1. In a large saucepan, combine rice, seasonings and chicken broth.2. Cook according to package directions, using broth in place of water.3. Add the raisins, apricots and cherries when five minutes of cooking
time remain.4. Stir rice mixture a few times. Remove from heat and serve. Serves 4.You will need an adult’s help with this recipe.
Meet Trout Fishing in America Keith Grimwood and Ezra Idlet are the founders of the band Trout Fishing in America. Their latest CD, “Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers,” is a group of story songs and tongue twisters. Some of their songs are based on songwriting workshops they do with kids. Keith and Ezra have been writing and playing music together since 1976. They met
when they were both playing in a folk/rock band in Houston. Keith began taking piano lessons at 8 years old. He played string bass in his high school orchestra and also played guitar in rock bands. He put himself through college by playing in clubs. After college, he played string bass in the Houston Symphony Orchestra. Ezra grew up in a musical family that sang around the piano. He played drums in a band and performed as a guitar player and singer at a dinner theater. He went to college on a basketball scholarship and put together a band in college. He gave up his scholarship to play music in the U.S. Virgin Islands. He never learned to read music!
Bobby: How do you cheer a basketball player who makes a basket?
Barry: Hoop, hoop, hooray!
Billy: How far is it from one basketball court to the next?
Betty: Just a hoop, skip and a jump!
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All the following jokes have something in common. Can you guess the common theme or category?
Bradley: What happens when you cross a newborn snake and a basketball?
Buddy: You get a bouncing baby boa!
Mini Spy . . .Mini Spy and her friends are meeting the Harlem Globetrotters! See if you can find: • man in the moon• arrow • key • ring • basket• chicken • ladder • number 2 • word MINI• fan • carrot • number 3 • toothbrush• hairbrush • candy cane • needle • heart
Supersport: Joel EmbiidHeight: 7-0 Weight: 250Hometown: Yaounde, Cameroon, Africa Joel Embiid didn’t grow up dreaming of becoming a big-time basketball player. His sports were volleyball and soccer. He didn’t even begin shooting hoops until age 16. Now, just two years after taking up the game, the 7-foot University of Kansas freshman has become a center of national attention.
In the Jayhawks’ 16-4 start, which included six wins over top 25 opponents, Embiid has been an intimidating force. He averaged 11.4 points on a 65.9 field goal percentage, 7.6 rebounds and 2.7 blocks in the first 20 games. In a win over Oklahoma State, he blocked a KU-record 8 shots. Coach Bill Self discovered Embiid at the Rock School in Gainesville, Fla., where he led his team to its only state title ever. Now he’s rocking for the Jayhawks on his way toward an NBA career.
The Mini Page StaffBetty Debnam - Founding Editor and Editor at Large Lisa Tarry - Managing Editor Lucy Lien - Associate Editor Wendy Daley - Artist
Globetrotter gab The Mini Page spoke with “Buckets” Blakes, a current Harlem Globetrotter, about life as a ’Trotter. MP: What made you want to be a Harlem Globetrotter? Buckets: I was a huge fan as a kid. I went to see them when I was around 5 years old, but mostly I saw them on “Scooby Doo” and “Wide World of Sports.” I played in Europe after college, and the Globetrotters called me. I’ve been playing with them for 12 years. MP: When you interact with kids in the audience, how do you know who to pick? Buckets: You can tell! You can see them on the sidelines dancing. They’re just ready to be pulled onto the court or to sit on the bench with us.
Off the court The Globetrotters may be famous for the clowning they do on the court, but they’re also known as ambassadors* of goodwill. In each city where they play, team members visit schools and hospitals to share positive messages and enthusiasm with kids. They also hold summer skills clinics for children. Globetrotter programs include: • The ABCs of Bullying Prevention A = Action B = Bravery C = Compassion • C.H.E.E.R. for Character C = Cooperation H = Healthy mind and body E = Effort E = Enthusiasm R = Responsibility • S.P.I.N. (Some Playtime Is Necessary) to promote fitness for kids. • Smile Patrol. Players visit hospitals and see how many smiles they can get from young patients.
MP: What do you love most about being a Globetrotter? Buckets: We’re the most accessible (or friendly) pro sports team in the world. After every game, every player stays to sign autographs. We’re on social media, and we visit about 400 schools a year.
The Mini Page thanks Anthony “Buckets” Blakes and Scott Johnson with the Harlem Globetrotters for help with this issue.
Look through your newspaper for items about upcoming sporting events in your city.
“Buckets” Blakes dribbles down the court during a game.
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“Big Easy” Lofton watches the game and shares some popcorn with a young fan.
“Scooter” Christensen teaches a young fan to spin a ball on her finger.The team of nearly 30 players is often divided into three units that travel all around the country and world entertaining fans.
“Hammer” Harrison leap-frogs over an opposing player to dunk the ball. Today, the World All-Stars travel with the Globetrotters and compete against them.
Next week, The Mini Page is about climate change.
*An ambassador is someone who promotes or supports something.
release dates: March 1-7
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Standards Spotlight: Becoming the Globetrotters
Mini Page activities meet many state and national educational standards. Each week we identify standards that relate to The Mini Page’s content and offer activities that will help your students reach them.This week’s standard:• Students understand that physical activity provides opportunities for enjoyment,
challenge, self-expression and social interaction. (Physical Education)Activities:1. Draw a picture of yourself and friends on a basketball team. Give your team a
name. Paste newspaper words that describe your team around the edge of your picture.
2. In your newspaper, find three non-sports examples of people showing teamwork. Explain your choices.
3. In the sports section, select five team names that are related to the geography or history of the team’s location.
4. How were these important to the Globetrotters: (a) Harlem, (b) Abe Saperstein, (c) “Sweet Georgia Brown” and (d) humor?
5. Write a paragraph discussing how sports can help people learn to get along.(standards by Dr. Sherrye D. Garrett, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi)
