In celebration of 90 years of providing smiles, sportsmanship and service to millions of people worldwide, the world famous Harlem Globetrotters named TV personality Robin Roberts the 10th Honorary Harlem Globetrotter in team history, launched their new community outreach program, The Great Assist, and announced that tickets are on sale for their 90th year of touring the world. Photo courtesy of Ida Mae Astute/ABC. (PRNewsFoto/Harlem Globetrotters)
The iconic Harlem Globetrotters, celebrating 90 years of providing smiles, sportsmanship and service to millions of people worldwide, recently named TV personality Robin Roberts the 10th Honorary Harlem Globetrotter in the team’s history.
Roberts joins an esteemed list of Honorary Harlem Globetrotters that includes Pope Francis – who was honored by the Globetrotters at the Vatican in May – as well as Dr. Henry Kissinger (1976), Bob Hope (1977) and Nelson Mandela (1996).
The prestigious Honorary Harlem Globetrotter accolade recognizes an individual of extraordinary character and achievement who has made an everlasting mark on the world. Roberts, an award-winning journalist, has provided inspiration for millions as she has publicly battled breast cancer and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Roberts is an inductee of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and is in the top ten in five career statistical categories at her alma mater, Southeastern Louisiana University, where her no. 21 jersey is retired.
“It is our privilege to present Robin Roberts with this honor,” said Harlem Globetrotters CEO Kurt Schneider. “She used her platform as a journalist to selflessly make her personal health battle public in order to raise awareness of the need for bone marrow donors, and by doing so, she potentially helped save lives. Robin fully embodies the ambassadorial spirit the Globetrotters have exuded for 90 years.”
As part of the festivities, the Globetrotters, known worldwide as the Ambassadors of Goodwill™, also announced that they are giving back even more during their 90th year with The Great Assist initiative, pledging to spread 100 million smiles around the world over the next 10 years with act of kindness and benevolence. Some examples include bringing schools messages of bullying prevention, character and physical fitness, visiting children’s hospitals, lending a hand after natural disasters, helping build homes for the needy and volunteering at soup kitchens and homeless shelters.
Fans are encouraged to give back as well and to visit GreatAssist.com to nominate a worthwhile cause or a deserving family in need of a smile, and the Globetrotters will help as many fans as possible throughout the tour.
The North American leg of the Globetrotters’ 2016 World Tour will tip off on Dec. 26, 2015, and see over 330 games in more than 260 cities in 48 U.S. states, eight Canadian provinces and Puerto Rico. To find a performance near you and purchase tickets, visit harlemglobetrotters.com.
