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Former Globetrotters Inspire Students
by Paul Teetor
They’re
known as Smooth and Special K, and they lived up to their names.
After dazzling the crowd with tricks that produced loud laughs, two former Harlem Globetrotters got down to business Thursday afternoon at the American Martyrs School.
"I can tell that a lot of you are good students and that this is a great school with an administration that is guiding you in the right direction," said Sterling Forbes, better known as "Smooth" during the nine years he played with the world-famous Globetrotters. "This is a really nice community, but there is a bigger world out there, and we want to warn you about a couple of things. "
The school gymnasium, which just a minute before had been a funhouse of shrieking laughter and wild stunts, quieted down as the students sat back and listened intently.
"Special K and I grew up in South-Central Los Angeles," said Forbes, referring to his partner, Kelvin Hildreth. "We made the decision not to get involved with drugs and gangs, but many of the kids we grew up with are either dead or in jail."
Education should always be your first priority, Forbes told the hundreds of students.
"I guarantee you we would not be where we are without our college degrees. Make education your priority and you’ll be just as successful as Special K and I are," he said.
Be a leader and not a follower, he urged the students.
"There’s this thing called peer pressure. Sometimes our friends get us in trouble, so let your conscience be your guide," he said. "No matter what career you choose, there are going to be things that come up to prevent you from reaching your goals, things like drugs and alcohol and gangs. We beg you to keep your eyes on the prize and don’t let people influence you into doing wrong things."
Then it was back to the tricks: spinning balls on fingertips, catching a ball with the back of your neck. Soon it was time for the students and staff to give it a try.
Third grader Megan McCall was first up, learning to spin the ball on her fingertips to the delight of her classmates.
"That was a blast," she said.
Then came Mr. Stupy, a 7th grade teacher who seemed to have spent more time with the books than on the playing fields. But he was a good sport and provided the students with more laughs.
Next up was the school principal, Wendy McLaughlin, who tried a behind-the-back dribble that left the students screaming with laughter.
Finally came a spirited game of two-on-four as the two former professional players took on four students. The short game ended with a flying slam-dunk by Special K, and the afternoon was complete: the students got to see real live pro basketball players throwing down a dunk, and the players got to deliver their stay-in-school message
Behind the fun and the public service preaching, the two men were also pushing their summer basketball camp, which will be held at the school from July 16 to July 20. For more information contact Karen Beebe at 802-8720. ER