Globe Trotters in Rochester

Hello sports fans! I know we don’t generally cover many organized athletic events, but then again, a Harlem Globetrotters game isn’t just any athletic event. The Globetrotters are the most famous basketball team on the planet. Formed in 1926, the Globetrotters were originally known as the Savoy Big Five. They were first founded by a young man named Abe Saperstein, in order to promote a nightclub called the Savoy Ballroom. It was this auspicious beginning that brought to us the Globetrotters we know and love today.

Fast forward to the present day, and I can barely contain my excitement as I exit the bus at State St and Main. With my beautiful young family in tow, I quickly traverse the lone city block that separates us from the Blue Cross Arena. The lines to get in were nonexistent, and that’s not because no one showed. We were a bit early, but most were earlier still. Quick confession: this is a first for me and the entire Mack clan. I had grown up watching the Harlem Globetrotters on T.V., and like everyone else that was ever mesmerized by the skillful antics of these dribbling dynamos, I was dying to see them in person. Sharing this experience with my two little boys made it all the more amazing.

It was a great time, and a must for anyone in the Rochester area that is a fan of basketball, and/or into having a great time themselves . This is normally the part where I launch into a brief but entertaining description of the game, so as to really capture the attention all of you wonderful people. I decided that I would instead allow my boys to tell the world what they thought of the Globetrotters, so that we may once again see things through the eyes of babes.

My oldest son is 6, and when I asked him what his favorite part of the game was he says, “The whole game was awesome! They were so much smarter and cooler than the other team, they had to win. I liked the dunks the most. They do the coolest tricks!”, and of course my youngest son had a slight difference in opinion. He says, “The best part was the tricks they played on the other team, like when the stole the other guys clothes. Oh, and I liked the part when they did everything in slow motion. They are so funny!” They both agreed that the game wasn’t long enough, and it’s an opinion we shared. Sure, I understand game regulations and all those things, but this was so much fun the time just flew by.

I’m not sure when the next time the Globetrotters will be in town, but if you can make it out to take in the action, it’s a guaranteed winner for entertainment value. Another great thing is that when the game is over, the players stick around and sign autographs. They put on a good show, but aren’t so big that they can’t still reach the people. Look for the next show, and mark your calendars. I know I will, and I hope to see you there.