Seeing the Harlem Globetrotters has been on my bucket list since I was a kid. The tricks, amazing skills, inspirational stories and community kick back has been a huge reason why I've always dreamed of seeing them play. Now, having three young kids who are all into basketball, it was time we went... and I'm so, so happy we did.
This past Sunday at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, we had the pleasure of seeing the Harlem Globetrotters in their 94th year of performing. The "Pushing the Limits Tour" did not disappoint.
We surprised our kids and left them guessing what the "fun thing" was that we were doing that day. It wasn't until we parked and they saw the team tour bus that they realized - "Aaahhh!! MOM! THANK YOU!" was the perfect start to a perfect outing.
Once we got in and settled, it was time for the pre-show event, accessed with the Magic Pass. It started with a Q&A with famed Globetrotter Bulldog Mack. Standing proud at 6'7", the 27 year old set the tone for the next 30 minutes. He was engaging, funny and attentive to the questions kids asked. The best thing I heard him say was, "practice, practice, practice to get to where you want to be".
After the Q&A, we were able to meet some the Globetrotters face to face, learn tricks from them, take photos and even chat with a few about the hard work it took to get to where they are today.
 | Conversing with Speedy Artis was an absolute pleasure. He shared with our kids that his first priority was school, then training. When asked how hard he had to work, he said, "Oh, so hard. It took a lot of hard work to get here and I still work hard even today." He explained that after school he trained and practiced for four, sometimes five hours each day. On the Globetrotters court, he’s known for his dribbling skills and spot-on accuracy when shooting from the team’s signature 4-point line (which he did many times during the game). Another we chatted with was Dizzy English, a Michigan native from Detroit, he shared that it's 'all about the team' and that 'you gotta have each other's backs' at all times. Soon after, it was showtime. We found our seats and watched the fun begin. You could see immediately that the team is more than (just) a team, they're a family. The laughter and smiles on the sidelines, the flawless execution on the court, it was exactly what I was expecting it to be. It must be said, too, that the passing of NBA legend Kobe Bryant warranted an arena wide moment of silence led by the Globetrotters. A truly heartwarming moment that brought the entire building together. |
My kids are dreamers, each having a grand plan for themselves... but you know how it is, parents can only say, "keep practicing" so many times before it loses meaning. Seeing the looks on our kids' faces while they were talking with the players was priceless. They are more motivated and more inspired than ever before and I can guarantee that this is an experience they'll carry with them for years and years to come.
So, from this Mom to the Harlem Globetrotters, thank you. Thank you for being an inspiration to so, so many kids (and adults, if I'm being honest) around the world. You're all living proof that dreams do come true and that hard work, practice and dedication does pay off.
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