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S&A B-ballers Confirm Globetrotters are Bigger, Better and More Fun!

One day into their 2004 tour, the Harlem Globetrotters visited Rhodes Arena in Akron, Ohio on Saturday, December 27, 2003. Youth b-ballers from “Team Purple” of the Copley Fairlawn Athletic Association attended the game with their families, compliments of Skidmore & Associates. “This is the first season of our sponsorship of CAA youth basketball...a trip to see the Globetrotters provided our kids with an opportunity to see basketball skills performed at the highest level with a humorous flare,” said Eric E. Skidmore.

Our b-ballers got to take pictures with some of the Globetrotters, such as Alex “Big Ticket” Sanders. Then players Paul “Showtime” Gaffney, William Pippen (nephew of Chicago Bulls’ great, Scottie Pippen), Brandon Dean and Ron “Steamboat” Rollerson hosted “Globetrotters University” presenting profiles of some of the players (past/present), coaches and the history of the team. The players opened up the floor for questions, wherein “Showtime” Gaffney stated that his protégé was old-time Globetrotter and head coach, Tex Harrison. The Globetrotters concluded their presentation with a demonstration of their infamous “magic circle” routine. The Globetrotters have added an official mascot "Globie" who was constantly interacting with the fans.

The Globetrotters have been under the tutelage of owner and ex-Globetrotter Mannie Jackson since 1993. “As a parent and a coach, I was very impressed with the professionalism of the organization and the players,” stated Skidmore. “I contacted some of their management personnel in Phoenix, Arizona in advance of the event and they were very helpful,” added Skidmore. “No question about it...our kids were mesmerized by the Globetrotters dribbling, shooting and monster dunks while at the same time perpetual laughter resonated from the comical antics of ‘Showtime’ Gaffney...the perfect instructional compliment to youth b-ballers,” said Skidmore. "After the game, our kids were so enthused as to what they saw, they were dribbling basketballs in the parking lots in sub zero temperatures!", concluded Skidmore.

All images used herein have been used with the express written consent of the Harlem Globetrotters International.