Harlem Globetrotters give Andersen a show

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jamie Lessard
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  The Harlem Globetrotters may have begun as sideshow entertainers at Savoy Ballroom in Chicago in 1926, but they have grown to represent a worldwide phenomenon.

The world-famous Globetrotters visited Andersen Air Force Base, toured operations, conducted a sports clinic and a played an exhibition game with the Washington Generals here Dec. 14.

Using their "C.H.E.E.R. for Character" program, the Globetrotters started Monday night off with a basketball clinic for Andersen youth. The acronym "C.H.E.E.R." stands for cooperation, healthy mind and body, effort, enthusiasm and responsibility and is geared to promote character development and a healthy, active lifestyle.

"It's an honor to come out here and play for the troops, who protect us every day and defend our great land" said Anthony "Airport" Greenup, a fifth-year Globetrotter. Greenup was a Division II All-American at Shaw University in North Carolina. "Being apart from family and friends during the holiday season can be difficult, however we hope that we will bring some joy to the troops this year." 

During an exhibition game against the Washington Generals, the Globetrotters entertained the crowd with antics from slam-dunking and dancing on the court, to throwing buckets of water and confetti into the crowd. 

"One of the best things about being a part of the Globetrotters is playing for the troops," said Big Easy Lofton, a Globetrotter showman. Big Easy started playing basketball at the age of six. He joined the team right after Hurricane Katrina hit his hometown of New Orleans, La., in August 2005. "Our service members sacrifice so much while they are deployed. This partnership offers Americans a great opportunity to shower our heroes with a sweet thank you."

For more than eighty years, the Harlem Globetrotters have entertained basketball fans around the world played in more than120 countries, on six continents, before more than 128 million fans. They have thrilled crowds with their comedy and hardwood skills.