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By Emily Zulz           
Activities Reporter

The crowd cheered and roared as music blared in Lantz Arena.

A burst of smoke was emitted in the air as the Harlem Globetrotters were announced to Eastern and community members Tuesday night.

As the smoke floated away into the stands, the crowd continued cheering.
The Globetrotters, who have been around since 1926 and are recognized around the world, were welcomed by 1,736 people.

Neal Dillon, of Charleston, saw the Globetrotters the three previous times they were at Eastern, and he came again for the Globetrotters’ fourth time in Lantz Arena.

However, this time he introduced the Globetrotters to his two young sons, Nicholas, 8, and Brady, 6.

Dillon said even though he found out about the event three days ago, he had to bring the rest of his family to see the famed performance.

“They (Nicholas and Brady) were glued,” Dillon said. “They sat there the whole time,”
When the Globetrotters’ opponent, the Washington Generals, scored, very few audience members clapped.

The complete opposite happened when the Globetrotters’ scored. The crowd would erupt with applause while yelling and whistling.

Dave Kidwell, assistant athletic director for special projects, coordinated the event. He said there was never a dull moment in the performance.

“They keep it moving for a good two hours,” Kidwell said.
He said it’s amazing that the Globetrotters have the ability to make it look new every time they perform.

Kidwell said they may have performed 28 of the last 30 days but when the music starts, the Globetrotters are ready.

Luvenia Betts, a senior early child education major, got an invitation from TRiO Student Support Services last month.
She said she was glad she took the offer.

“I didn’t really know anything about it until they told me,” Betts said.
She was glad she found out about it because she enjoyed it so much.

Betts said her favorite part was a scene towards the end of the game when they were no longer playing basketball, but football.

After scoring a touchdown, the Globetrotters did the exact same thing only in rewind.
Najah Shearrill, a sophomore elementary education major, who also came through a TriO invitation, had always wanted to see the Globetrotters before, but never got a chance.

“It was real fun,” Shearrill said. “It kept me entertained. They had so many tricks up their sleeves. They kept the crowd going.“

Betts enjoyed the performance so much she said if they came to another town near her she would not only go again, but this time take her family with her.