Harlem Globetrotters

Thursday, February 10

Globetrotters Q&A

Now in their 79th season, the Globetrotters will bring their 2005 “World of Fun” tour to the Frank Erwin Center on February 10. You can read up on Trotter history below…we’ll have a quiz later!

Q. How long have the Globetrotters been around?
A. Founded in 1926 by Abe Saperstein, the Harlem Globetrotters played their first-ever road game on Jan. 7, 1927, in Hinckley, Ill. On Jan. 12, 1998, the Globetrotters played their historic 20,000th career game, a feat unmatched by any other professional sports team in the world.

Q. Why do you think the Globetrotters remain so popular and relevant?
A. The Harlem Globetrotters introduced most of the world to the game and continue to lead basketball's popularity globally. Much of what fans enjoy about the game today began with the Harlem Globetrotters. The team's message, flair, and appeal knows no boundaries and crosses barriers between cultures, societies, and people. The Harlem Globetrotters are the true champions and pioneers of basketball around the globe.

Q. How many countries have the Globetrotters visited?
A. The Harlem Globetrotters have played in 117 countries before more than 121 million fans during their 79-year history.

Q. Are the exhibition games real basketball?
A.They are real basketball games. In fact, a person attending a Harlem Globetrotters game would be surprised by a hard-fought competitive game for the first 15-to-20 minutes, as the Globetrotters establish the tone of the game. Fans will see the show antics once the team has opened a safe lead of 10-to-15 points.

Q. Have the Globetrotters ever lost a game?
A. Yes. In fact, the Globetrotters have lost more than 300 games over the course of 79 years. However, with over 20,000 wins, the Globetrotters do own the best winning percentage in the history of professional sports.

Q. How good are the Globetrotters on the court?
A. The Harlem Globetrotters are among the best professional athletes in the world. In March of 2001, the Globetrotters made their second appearance at Final Four Weekend and defeated the NABC College All-Stars in the "Roundball Challenge." The Globetrotters complied an 8-1 record during the 2001 Fall College Tour including victories over the University of Iowa, St. John's University, the University of Minnesota, and Kentucky Wesleyan College, the 2001 NCAA Division II national champions. Many of the well-conditioned athletes who play for the Globetrotters are former college stars themselves. The Harlem Globetrotters have their own scouting department that scans the globe for the top talent available.

Q. Who owns the Harlem Globetrotters now?
A. Mannie Jackson purchased the Globetrotters in 1993, making him the first African-American and former player to own a major international sports and entertainment organization. A former player with the Globetrotters in the sixties, Jackson has orchestrated the turnaround and resurgence of the organization, tripling its revenue in three years and quadrupling in size while amassing an impressive list of national sponsors, expanding countries visited to 117 with attendance of two million annually.

Q. How can I get an autograph of a Globetrotter player?
A. After every Globetrotter game, the players will sign autographs in the arena for a minimum of 15 minutes after the final horn sounds. It is their goal that every fan will walk away with at least one autograph and a lasting memory.

Q. What ever happened to the Washington Generals?
A. In 1995, the Washington Generals closed their camp for good. The Globetrotters' opponent, as were the Generals, is a separate outside organization from the Harlem Globetrotters. Owned and managed by Red Klotz, the New York Nationals are now the exhibition opponents of the Globetrotters. Klotz coordinates the finest collection of basketball players from around the world to oppose the Globetrotters.

Tickets for The Harlem Globetrotters “World of Fun” Tour at the Frank Erwin Center, Thursday, February 10 at 7PM are $13, $19, $25, $37.50 VIP and $100 Magic Circle and are ON SALE NOW at all Texas Box Office Outlets (includes H-E-B stores in Austin, Bastrop, Bee Caves, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Pflugerville, Round Rock, and San Marcos; Ft. Hood Bldg. #136 and Renaissance Records in Killeen), charge-by-phone at 512/477-6060 or 1-800-982-2386 or order on-line at TexasBoxOffice.com. THE FOLLOWING DISCOUNTS ARE AVAILABLE. NO DOUBLE DISCOUNTS: $4 off the $25 and $19 ticket prices with coupons available at participating Austin-area Dairy Queen locations; $6 off the $25 ticket price and $5 off the $19 ticket price for groups of 20 or more. Groups should call the Group Sales department at 512/471-7744. Convenience charges may apply. All information subject to change. The Frank Erwin Center is a smoke-free facility. Convenient parking is available within walking distance in nearby state and university lots. For more information, call 512/471-7744. uterwincenter.com