Harlem Globetrotters

The Story of the Blue Human-Globe Guy

The Harlem Globetrotters have been astonishing audiences for 82 years with their top-notch basketball skills and their one-of-a-kind crazy tricks.  One very important member of their team deserving of some limelight is their team mascot, Globie. One thing that is up for debate, and surrounded by a heap of rumors, is the origin of Globie. Some say Globie was a worn-out basketball player who grew aggravated with the game itself, but could not retire from entertaining the crowd. Others claim that Globie is the invention of an attention starved 13 year old boy, while some allege that Globie was formerly a young boy who was just fan of the game.  

To put these rumors to rest, here is the true story…Globie is actually a product of a clandestine scientific experiment! Globetrotter fans can thank a group of scientific geniuses for the creation of their revered mascot.  He was never a NBA All-Star or a young fan, but is instead a symbol that stands for something far more profound. To cure the troubles of the world, a group of scientists set out to create a creature that embodied peace. What they got was a jolly blue guy with a globe for a head. The scientists determined that Globie’s purpose was to travel the world spreading the message of peace and harmony.  

Let’s go back to the year 1993, when Mannie Jackson was at a practice court in Harlem signing the papers to purchase the Globetrotters. The blue human-globe happened to be passing by the court that day and grew curious of all the raucous. He walked over to the scene, and was immediately surrounded by boys and girls who assumed that the blue human-globe was the Globetrotters mascot. At one point, a Harlem youth shouted, “Globie.” It was that day that the Globetrotters mascot was born! The new owner agreed to let Globie dazzle the world with his gifts of peace and harmony, as long as he agreed to travel with the Harlem Globetrotters.

Globie exists to represent unity and to bring our Global family together.   He is neither black, white, Christian, Jewish, Democrat, Republican, rich, poor, young, old, Aggie or Longhorn! Simply put, Globie is fun, silly, entertaining, gracious and good-hearted, and he stands for the 125 million fans around the world that have been touched by the Harlem Globetrotters. The Globetrotters, much like their mascot, are historically known for being ambassadors of goodwill. Since 1993, the organization has given over $11 million dollars to charity, and has traveled the world spreading joy and laughter to countless schools, hospitals and military groups. In 2006 while traveling the country on their Holiday Military Tour, they played a game aboard the U.S.S. Eisenhower, an active U.S. aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf.

Bring your family and friends to the Frank Erwin Center on February 7 to experience the “World’s Greatest Basketball Show,” and see the Harlem Globetrotters, and of course Globie, work their magic on the basketball court! The Globetrotters “Magic as Ever” tour will delight and astound you with their talent, tricks and personality!