Harlem Globetrotters Visit Calvary Christian

The students at Calvary Christian School received a treat on Thursday when wo members of the famous Harlem Globetrotters basketball team, visited the campus and spoke about the dangers of bullying.   Flight Time Lang, a 14-year veteran of the Globetrotters, and Tiny Sturgess, the Guinness World Record holder as the tallest professional basketball player at 7’8′, spoke for a half-hour about the importance of stopping bullying in schools and what measures can be taken to prevent it.   The players addressed students about the ‘ABCs’ of bullying ‘ action, bravery and compassion ‘ and invited several of them to the center of the gym to cite examples of how they could put those examples to use.   In the interim, as is their nature, the Flight Time and Tiny wowed the crowd with several entertaining plays. Upon request, Lang attempted a half-court shot, telling one student he would take three cracks at it to see if he would make it.   True to Globetrotter form, Lang swished the basket on his first try with a two-hand underhand toss, eliciting a raucous cheer. Sturgess was then asked if he could slam dunk, something that barely required him to lift his feet off the ground.   Later, several students and head of school Vince Downey participated in a demonstration in which Lang walked them through the techniques of trick passes the Globetrotters sometimes use in their games.   Lang said that the current anti-bullying campaign reflects how the issue has become more prominent across the nation. The Globetrotters have always prided themselves on being ambassadors of goodwill through many different charitable organizations.   ’We’ve always made it our business to go to different hospitals and schools,’ Lang said. ‘[The Globetrotters] give me a platform where I can make a difference. We can go to hundreds of different schools with our program.’   Added Sturgess: ‘It’s great to be a part of this. I love being around children, especially with their fascination with me and my height. It’s nice to come across as a good role model. Bullying happens too much so it’s nice to try and help combat that.’