Harlem Globetrotters:
World Renowned, Frostburg Bound
By Scott McDonough, ENGL 336
The
Chesapeake Dining Hall of Frostburg State University was busier than usual on
Friday, March 24, 2012 as many students made sure to have their dinner exactly
at or before 6:30 PM. The usual atmosphere of another hard day of school work
took on a more colorful air as students flaunted their favorite basketball
team’s colors. Students scarfed down their supper plates at a feverish pace as
if they had a better place to be and much better things to see. The cause of
all the commotion could only be narrowed down to one factor: The world renowned
Harlem Globetrotters were Frostburg bound. At 7:00 PM in the Bobcat arena, the
famous exhibition basketball team took to the courts of the Harold J. Cordts Physical
Education Center to show Frostburg State University and the surrounding
community what they do best, combine athleticism and comedy for an entertaining
exhibition. As a benefit for FSU's Athletics Department, the event was set up
as part of the Globetrotters 75th Anniversary Tour. With a ticket price of only
$10 dollars for students with a Frostburg ID and children under twelve years of
age or $15 dollars for adults and teenagers over the age of twelve; the stage
was set for an affordable and family-friendly evening to witness the
Globetrotters’ two-hour spectacle.
According to the Harlem
Globetrotters’ official website, “The Original Harlem Globetrotters have
showcased their iconic talents in 120 countries and territories on six continents,
often breaking down cultural and societal barriers while providing fans with
their first-ever basketball experience…a world famous tradition of ball
handling wizardry, basketball artistry, and one-of-a-kind family entertainment
that continues to thrill fans of all ages.” Certainly, as the packed seats of
the Bobcat Arena indicated, the reputation of Globetrotters’ world famous
tradition preceded them. In fact, many attendants expressed their surprise that
such a famous franchise as the Harlem Globetrotters were Frostburg bound in the
first place. Gina Scali, a mass communications major in her third year at FSU
expressed her surprise when she stated, “How the hell did the Harlem Globetrotters
end up here in little ol’ Frostburg?” Others were in attendance strictly for
the family-friendly entertainment including Frostburg local and father of three,
Thomas Reinhardt, who especially enjoyed how the “audience participation made
the night engaging for my children.” All in attendance seem to enjoy the high
energy exhibition game as members of the Globetrotter crew, including Matt “Showbiz”
Jackson, Michael “Wild Thing” Wilson, and 7 ft 8 in Paul “Tiny” Sturgess went
to work showcasing their talents. Those poor souls not in attendance expressed
their disappointment in missing the event, including Chris Walker, a sophomore and geography major, as he lamented hours before the show, “I want to see the
f*ckin’ Globetrotters, but I don’t get paid until next week.”
After
the show, fans were given the chance to receive an autograph from their
favorite players and the opportunity to meet several members of the
Globetrotter roster from both past and present. Of course, Globetrotter gear
and memorabilia was sold throughout the event. In the end, March may have
presented many fun-filled events for the Frostburg community, but students and
residents alike were given an extra special treat at 7:00 PM on March 12, 2012
in the Bobcat Arena because the world-renowned Harlem Globetrotters were
Frostburg bound.
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