Globetrotters had basketball beginnings in a ballroom

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 34031, 20 December 1975, Page 4

Globetrotters had basketball beginnings in a ballroom

As strange as it seems, the Harlem Globetrotters, who will be at Cowles Stadium on January 23, 24 and 25, got their beginning at a ballroom — and it has nothing to do with their “Sweet Georgia Brown” theme song. Chicago’s Savoy Ballroom is remembered today by a piece of music from the swing era. “Stompin' at the Savoy.” In 1926 the Savoy was a mecca for big bands and huge dance crowds. When no bands were scheduled, the owners promoted basketball games, featuring their own team, the Savoy Big Five. Abe Saperstein, then a 23-year-old Polish-American from Chicago’s north side, booked them against local competition when the Big Five was not playing at the Savoy. It did not take long for basketball at the Savoy to give way to more lucrative roller skating sessions. Saperstein took some of the Big Five players, added other local talent and formed Saperstein’s New York, a name undoubtedly chosen to strongly imply the team was not local. This was the team he first took out on tour, with the first stop Hinckley, Illinois on January 7, 1927. The team changed names a few times during the first year of operation. Saperstein’s New York became the New York Globetrotters, creating a very worldly, well travelled impression. Next came Harlem New York Globetrotters, lending emphasis to the fact all players were black. It was not until a couple of years later they became simply the Harlem Globetrotters. Dropping “New York” from the name was done in a moment of austerity. The shorter name saved the cost of two words whenever a telegram was sent booking a game! So. it all began at the old Savoy Ballroom in Chicago. If the Savoy Big Five had drawn larger crowds

back in 1926, the Globetrotters might not be around to celebrate their 50th anniversav season in 1976. Of all the questions asked the Harlem Globetrotters, the one most frequently heard is: Where do the Globetrotters find new players? Simply put. the answer is: From colleges and universities throughout the land. The Globetrotter scouting corps, which is second to none, scours the country each year. Of the thousands of basketball players seen in college competition, perhaps 30 are invited to try out at a regular training camp held before the Trotters begin their winter tour. These rookies have a week to show their stuff before the first cut. The Harlem Globetrotters president, Stan Greeson, leaves his fingerprints on every phase of the Trotters’ operation and has a great interest in all rookies trying out for the squad. The first cut eliminates perhaps two-thirds of the rookies. Those remaining continue the training camp with returning Globetrotter veterans. For two weeks the veterans and rookies go through workouts twice each day. The Globetrotter camp emphasises conditioning, shooting, speed and ball handling. Special Globetrotter drills, which many times are adopted by

colleges. underline the speed and timing necessary for Trotter style basketball The final cut is made a week before the seasoi. begins. Those rookies who have made the squad join veterans in preparing for the long season ahead. In all, 20 ball players will be placed under contract. Ten will be assigned to each of the Globetrotters touring units. The popularity of the highly skilled American basketbailers has never been greater. Last year, alone, nearly three million people watched them play. The total attendance at Globetrotter games is now more than 78 million. The player-coach of the team which is touring New Zealand is Marques Haynes, at 6ft the smallest man in the line-up and one of the finest dribblers in the history of the sport. His basketball career began in high school fourdecades ago and he is still active as a player. But he is not a tired old man who is trading off his reputation. He is player-coach of the Globetrotters and puts in his time on the floor each night. He is an amazing man, athlete and basketball talent. Youngsters who were not born when Marques began his professional career are hard pressed to keep up with him. They sometimes catch themselves standing around

hile the game goes on round them. as they .atch the master at work. Haynes is more than a flayer-coach with the Trot;ers. He is involved with international basketball, advising many foreign coaches, conducting international teaching clinics and basketball seminars. His contribution to the sport is beyond measure. More importantly to Globetrotter fans, he is still putting the ball on the floor and working his magic witn the Trotters. More than 500 athletes have worn the uniform of the Harlem Globetrotters. None has been more popular with Trotter fans around the world than Geese Ausbie, court jester supreme. Geese has blended perfectly those basketball and comedic talents that make a Trotter superstar. He has been described as “funnier standing still than most people are falling down.” That is small comment compared to his ability with a basketball. The Harlem Globetrotters have long been known for having fun with the game, of basketball, while playing spectacularly. Ausbie is thei man who brings that talent! to new heights. He is not only a favourite of Trotter, fans worldwide, but a favourite of his teammates,! too. His unorthodox style' and court antics are always fooling even those veterans who have been playing with him for several years. "There's always something new with Geese on the floor. You would think we wouldn't be fooled as often as the crowd, but we are.” one Trotter relates. The team which will perform in Christchurch is a tall one by any standards. Four players — Ron Knight, Theodis Lee, Jimmy Sanders and John Smith — are 6ft Bin tall and another, Jesse Jemison, is 6ft 7in. Smith, known as "Long John”, is much faster and even bigger and stronger than he appears. He is a deceptive player with an extremely fine

touch for a.big man. He is one of the more experienced plaxers in the touring party, now being in his fourth season with the Globetrotters. Lee comes from Texas where everything is supposed to be big. A good shooter and a fine rebounder of the University of Houston team which won the national championship in 1969. Jerry Venable (6ft 6in) earned all-state and allAmerican honours while still at high school. He set a record single game scoring total of 64 points in a school match and is now ninth on the Kansas State's all time scoring list. Jimmy Blacklock is at 6ft 2in one of the shortest members of the team but he can dunk the ball with both hands and is a brilliant shooter from anywhere within 30ft of the hoop. He is also an outstanding swimmer. The tenth team member is Mel Davis, a 6ft sin forward. The Globetrotters have brought their own opposition on tour —the California Chiefs. They will be coached by Ron Kim.