Tuesday was Harlem Globetrotter Day. The history goes like this: Abe Saperstein founded the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team in 1926. They were initially known as the Savoy Big Five, after the famous Savoy Ballroom in Chicago, where they held their first performances. The original team members were all African-Americans from the south side of Chicago, and they didn’t play in Harlem until four decades after the team’s formation. The team embodies qualities of human persistence and creativity. Founded when professional basketball was exclusively for white players, they decided to take basketball to another level, infusing comedy and entertainment. Over the decades, they’ve won over 27,000 games! Harlem Globetrotters Day is a day to honor and remember the achievement of this great basketball team and all other teams worldwide.
That information was taken from the “National Day” website, January 7. In 2026 the Globetrotters will celebrate their 100th anniversary. And it is safe to say that the team caught the attention of the nation and the world over through those years. Names have changed from the days of Meadowlark Lemon and Curly however, the talent and excitement that comes to fans world wide is unchallenged.
Tuesday was pretty special for me. I met two of the Washington Generals while walking through Urban Planet in the Cornwall Centre. Let’s be real, I’m short and seeing two handsome, well dressed guys just kind of chilling in the store attached to a hotel, had me wondering to self “Are These Guys with the Harlem Globetrotters?”. So, I asked!! And the answer was YES! A short conversation with Alan Heter and Donald Johnson on Globetrotter Day was COOL. We talked about the Toronto Raptors and the buzz they caused across Canada winning the NBA Championship. We chatted about country music and the game at the Brandt Centre. You know, just basic small talk and we parted company. I continued to window shop at the store and as I was going out to the mall, they were coming back and stopped to chat and see if I come to the game. OF COURSE, I would love to go.
Working in our industry we are afforded many memorable opportunities, but this was so exciting. It was a special night to be at this game, cheering for my new found friends that were trying to outplay the heavily favoured “Globies”! But, how can you beat the Globetrotters high flying antics, the crafty choreography, the fan involvement and the general hype of the show. Truly one of the best family entertainment pieces of fun and sportsmanship.
I hope you enjoyed your evening out with the Globetrotters and Washington Generals as much as I did. Thank you Donald and Alan – it was a pleasure. Don’t forget to download that 620 CKRM App!!
A fun night of hoops at the Brandt Centre with the Globetrotters and Washington Generals
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