Becoming the Globetrotters Have You Ever the New York Dreamed of Being Globetrotters 1930- 31 Team

© 2014 Universal Uclick 88 Years of Entertaining from The Mini Page © 2014 Universal Uclick Becoming the Globetrotters Have you ever The New York dreamed of being Globetrotters 1930- 31 team. Coach Abe a professional Saperstein is on the left. basketball player? Players, standing left to Today, men and right, are Walter “Toots” women of nearly Wright, Byron Long, Inman every nationality Jackson and William “Kid” An early basketball Oliver. Al “Runt” Pullins is compete in sitting down. professional leagues all over the world. Saperstein later renamed But the National Basketball the team the Harlem Association (NBA) wasn’t formed until Globetrotters. He thought 1949. In the 1920s and 1930s, teams the reference to the New York neighborhood would in the United States traveled from let people know that town to town without the structure of the team was African- a league, playing other teams for the American and would seem entertainment of the townspeople. This exotic to audiences in smaller cities. type of play is called barnstorming. photo courtesy Harlem Globetrotters One special team formed in 1926 in Separate teams White players only Chicago and later became known as Some of the best early basketball Many early barnstorming teams the Harlem Globetrotters. This week, teams were segregated, or divided by did not allow African-American The Mini Page learns more about this their race or ethnic background. For players. A group of friends who had historical barnstorming basketball team example, teams of Jewish, Irish, Swedish graduated from Chicago’s all-black that’s still entertaining fans today. and Chinese players barnstormed on Wendell Phillips High School got the East Coast and beyond. a team together and played at the Rough basketball People living outside of large cities Savoy Ballroom there. They called Did you notice the knee pads the were interested in seeing people of themselves the Savoy Big Five. players wear in the photo above? In those other races. Remember, they didn’t But it was difficult for the team days, basketball was a much rougher have television or the Internet to show to book, or arrange, games because game. Many modern rules were not in use them other parts of the world. they weren’t very well known. Their yet, and some games were played inside a Barnstorming teams gave audiences manager asked for help from a white wire cage that separated the spectators a glimpse of a world beyond their youth league coach, Abe Saperstein. from the court! reach. ®

The Harlem Globetrotters’ record In 1950, the Globetrotting milestones in their third year was 151 wins and Globetrotters • 1943 — Bob 13 losses, but the team still struggled began their first international Karstens becomes to make money and pay the players. the first Caucasian Times were hard, and people tour. Here, Marques player on the Harlem didn’t have much extra money for Haynes stays dry Globetrotters. entertainment. But the team stayed during a rainy • 1952 — “Sweet together. outdoor game in Georgia Brown” In many towns where they played, France in 1951.

becomes the official photos courtesy Harlem Globetrotters hotels and restaurants wouldn’t theme song of the Bob Karstens serve the black players. Sometimes Globetrotters. (Listen here: 1.usa.gov/ they had to sleep in Saperstein’s car. Abe Saperstein realized that his players could win games and be Ku9obJ) Using humor entertaining with their funny tricks • 1954 — “Meadowlark” Lemon If the team felt too much racial on the court. This would make them joins the Globetrotters, starting a tension during a game, they might more popular with opposing teams, 24-year career with the team. start clowning around to try to make who might invite them back. • 1968 — The Harlem Globetrotters people laugh. For instance, in a play their first game in Harlem, N.Y. tense game in Canada, Globetrotter Serious basketball • 1985 — Lynette “Runt” Pullins smiled as he dribbled But it wasn’t all fun and games for Woodard becomes between his legs, and “Kid” Oliver the Globetrotters. They wanted to win. the first female tossed the ball high in the air and let In 1940, the Globetrotters beat the Harlem Globetrotter. it land on the back of his neck, then Chicago Bruins by just one basket • 2002 — roll down his arm. in overtime during the finals of the Globetrotters inducted The crowd, which had started out second World Professional Basketball as a team into the angry, ended up laughing. Tournament in Chicago. The win Lynette Naismith Memorial helped make the team famous. Woodard Basketball Hall of Fame.

from The Mini Page © 2014 Universal Uclick from The Mini Page © 2014 Universal Uclick TM Basset Brown try ’n’ The News Ready Resources Hound’s Globetrotters find The Mini Page provides ideas for Words that remind us of the Harlem Globetrotters are hidden below. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See websites, books or other resources that will help if you can find: ACCESSIBLE, BARNSTORM, BASKETBALL, CLOWNING, you learn more about this week’s topics. ENTERTAINMENT, FUN, GLOBETROTTERS, GOODWILL, HARLEM, HUMOR, LEAGUE, MEN, PLAY, SPORT, TEAM, TRAVEL, TRICKS, WINS, WOMEN. On the Web: M T N E M N I A T R E T N E J The ’Trotters • harlemglobetrotters.com are court R A E L B I S S E C C A P R G • bit.ly/KzEY81 clowns! O M E L R A H Q P U K W L O O • bit.ly/KD7zIQ T N B T L P N E M O G C A M O S E Q R E S S N I W R A Y U D At the library: N M F N V Z S K C I R T E H W • “The Harlem Globetrotters” by Josh Wilker R O U C A G N I N W O L C L I • “A Piece of Paper” by TyRone “Hollywood” Brown A W N M R B A S K E T B A L L B S R E T T O R T E B O L G L ®

TM TM Rookie Cookie’s Recipe Mini Spy . . . Dried Fruit Rice Mini Spy and her friends are meeting the Harlem You’ll need: Globetrotters! See if you can find: • man in the moon • 1 (6-ounce) box long-grain and wild rice with seasoning • arrow • key • ring • basket • 2 cups chicken broth • chicken • ladder • number 2 • word MINI • 1/2 cup raisins • fan • carrot • number 3 • toothbrush • 1/2 cup dried apricots, cut in small pieces • 1/2 cup dried cherries • hairbrush • candy cane • needle • heart What to do: 1. In a large saucepan, combine rice, seasonings and chicken broth. 2. Cook according to package directions, using broth in place of water. 3. Add the raisins, apricots and cherries when five minutes of cooking time remain. 4. Stir rice mixture a few times. Remove from heat and serve. Serves 4. You will need an adult’s help with this recipe. from The Mini Page © 2014 Universal Uclick Meet Trout Fishing in America Keith Grimwood and Ezra Idlet are the founders of the band Trout Fishing in America. Their latest CD, “Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers,” is a group of story songs and tongue twisters. Some of their songs are based on songwriting workshops they do with kids.

photo by Eric Overacker Keith and Ezra have been writing and Keith (left) and Ezra playing music together since 1976. They met when they were both playing in a folk/rock band in Houston. Keith began taking piano lessons at 8 years old. He played string bass in his high school orchestra and also played guitar in rock bands. He put himself through college by playing in clubs. After college, he played string bass in the Houston Symphony Orchestra. Ezra grew up in a musical family that sang around the piano. He played drums in a band and performed as a guitar player and singer at a dinner theater. He went to college on a basketball scholarship and put together a band in college. He gave up his scholarship to play music in the U.S. Virgin Islands. He never learned to read music!

Supersport: Joel Embiid All the following jokes have something in common. Height: 7-0 Weight: 250 Can you guess the common theme or category? Hometown: Yaounde, Cameroon, Africa Joel Embiid didn’t grow up dreaming of becoming a Bobby: How do you cheer a basketball big-time basketball player. His sports were volleyball and player who makes a basket? soccer. He didn’t even begin shooting hoops until age 16. Barry: Hoop, hoop, hooray! Now, just two years after taking up the game, the 7-foot University of Kansas freshman has become a center of national attention. Billy: How far is it from one basketball court to In the Jayhawks’ 16-4 start, which included six wins over top 25 the next? opponents, Embiid has been an intimidating force. He averaged 11.4 points Betty: Just a hoop, skip and a jump! on a 65.9 field goal percentage, 7.6 rebounds and 2.7 blocks in the first 20 games. In a win over Oklahoma State, he blocked a KU-record 8 shots. Bradley: What happens when you cross a Coach Bill Self discovered Embiid at the Rock School in Gainesville, Fla., where he led his team to its only state title ever. Now he’s rocking for newborn snake and a basketball? the Jayhawks on his way toward an NBA career. Buddy: You get a bouncing baby boa! ®

from The Mini Page © 2014 Universal Uclick Today’s Globetrotters “Scooter” Off the court Christensen teaches a The Globetrotters may be famous young fan to for the clowning they do on the spin a ball on court, but they’re also known as her finger. ambassadors* of goodwill. In each The team of nearly 30 city where they play, team members players is often visit schools divided into and hospitals three units to share that travel all around “Hammer” Harrison leap-frogs over positive the country an opposing player to dunk the ball. messages and and world Today, the World All-Stars travel enthusiasm entertaining with the Globetrotters and compete with kids. photos courtesy Harlem Globetrotters fans. against them. They also “Big Easy” Lofton hold summer watches the game and Globetrotter gab skills clinics shares some popcorn The Mini Page spoke with for children. with a young fan. “Buckets” Blakes, a current Harlem Globetrotter programs include: Globetrotter, about life as a ’Trotter. • The ABCs of Bullying MP: What made you want to be a “Buckets” Prevention Harlem Globetrotter? Blakes dribbles A = Action Buckets: I was a huge fan as a down the B = Bravery kid. I went to see them when I was court during C = Compassion around 5 years old, but mostly I saw a game. • C.H.E.E.R. for Character them on “Scooby Doo” and “Wide C = Cooperation World of Sports.” H = Healthy mind and body I played in Europe after college, E = Effort and the Globetrotters called me. I’ve E = Enthusiasm been playing with them for 12 years. R = Responsibility MP: When you interact with kids MP: What do you love most about being a Globetrotter? • S.P.I.N. (Some Playtime Is in the audience, how do you know Necessary) to promote fitness for kids. who to pick? Buckets: We’re the most • Smile Patrol. Players visit Buckets: You can tell! You can accessible (or friendly) pro sports hospitals and see how many smiles see them on the sidelines dancing. team in the world. After every they can get from young patients. They’re just ready to be pulled onto game, every player stays to sign the court or to sit on the bench autographs. We’re on social media, *An ambassador is someone who with us. and we visit about 400 schools a promotes or supports something. year. The Mini Page thanks Anthony “Buckets” Look through your newspaper for items Blakes and Scott Johnson with the Harlem Next week, The Mini Page is about climate about upcoming sporting events in your Globetrotters for help with this issue. change. city. The Mini Page Staff Betty Debnam - Founding Editor and Editor at Large Lisa Tarry - Managing Editor Lucy Lien - Associate Editor Wendy Daley - Artist Read about the Globetrotters photo courtesy Harlem Globetrotters in ®

(Note to Editor: Above is camera- ready, one column-by-31/2-inch ad promoting Issue 9.)

release dates: March 1-7

from The Mini Page © 2014 Universal Uclick ® Standards Spotlight: Becoming the Globetrotters Mini Page activities meet many state and national educational standards. Each week we identify standards that relate to The Mini Page’s content and offer activities that will help your students reach them. This week’s standard: • Students understand that physical activity provides opportunities for enjoyment, challenge, self-expression and social interaction. (Physical Education) Activities: 1. Draw a picture of yourself and friends on a basketball team. Give your team a name. Paste newspaper words that describe your team around the edge of your picture. 2. In your newspaper, find three non-sports examples of people showing teamwork. Explain your choices. 3. In the sports section, select five team names that are related to the geography or history of the team’s location. 4. How were these important to the Globetrotters: (a) Harlem, (b) Abe Saperstein, (c) “Sweet Georgia Brown” and (d) humor? 5. Write a paragraph discussing how sports can help people learn to get along. (standards by Dr. Sherrye D. Garrett, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi)

(Note to Editor: Above is the Standards for Issue 9.) (Note to Editor: Above is copy block for Page 3, Issue 9, to be used in place of ad if desired.)

Please include all of the appropriate registered trademark symbols and copyright lines in any publication of The Mini Page®.