Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 9, 1995 TAG: 9503090067
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BREEA WILLINGHAM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Dressed in his Harlem Globetrotters uniform with basketball in hand, advance goodwill ambassador Robert Wallace was prepared to have fun and show the Roanoke kids his ``stuff'' during his Hoopstart Basketball Clinic.
After receiving a boisterous welcome from the pupils, Wallace began his show by laying down the rules: ``No talking, no touching the person next to you, and remember to have fun.''
Wallace then began to spin the red, white and blue ball under his arms, around his back and over his head.
``That's neat!'' some students called from the crowd.
Wallace's infamous acrobatics and slam dunks have earned him the nicknames ``Skywalker'' and ``Houdini of the Hardcourt,'' and he demonstrated his skills by showing off his jump shot and 3-pointer.
Because of a knee injury, Wallace no longer plays with the team. He began taking his show on the road in January. He has been with the team for nine years and is one of the newest team members to become an advance goodwill ambassador.
During his show, Wallace emphasized the importance of teamwork and demonstrated the concept through presentations with the help of student volunteers.
In one presentation, two students played ``the spin game,'' which involved passing a pen back and forth with a basketball spinning on top. The object was to work together to prevent the ball from falling off.
In between showing off his shooting and dribbling skills and posing for the cameras, Wallace asked the students to shout the words ``teamwork,'' ``study'' and ``practice'' to stress his message.
``I want the kids to have fun, but my biggest message is to practice, study, stay in school and say no to drugs,'' Wallace said.
``My mom always told me, ``Son, you got two heads - one you think with, and one you sit on. Heads you win, tails you lose.'''
Wednesday's show was a prelude to the 1995 Harlem Globetrotters ``Salute The Family'' World Tour premiering March 20 at the Roanoke Civic Center.
by CNB