FRED "CURLY" NEAL
One of the truly magical shooters and dribblers in basketball history, Curly Neal embraced the imagination of fans all over the world for 22 seasons as a key member of the Harlem Globetrotters. He played in more than 6,000-plus games in 97 countries from 1963 to 1985 with the Globetrotters. In addition to being known as one of the greatest all-time dribblers, joining the likes of Marques Haynes and Gator Rivers, Curly had a knack for hitting shots from virtually anywhere on the floor.
On Feb. 15, 2008, Curly became just the fifth Globetrotter in the team's illustrious history to have his number retired, as his number 22 was lifted to the rafters during a special ceremony at New York's Madison Square Garden.
After an outstanding career at James B. Dudley High School in Greensboro, N.C., Curly moved on to Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, N.C., where he averaged 23.1 points per game and led his team to the CIAA title his senior year. The effervescent guard still does public relations and marketing appearances for the Globetrotters as an Ambassador of Goodwill®. Curly received the Globetrotters "Legends" ring on June 25, 1993.
MOO MOO EVANS
Position: G
Date of Birth: 01/02/1983
Height: 6' 3" Weight: 210 lbs
College: Troy University (Ala.) '04
Hometown: Millington, Tennessee
Tennessee native Moo Moo Evans is in his fifth season with the Globetrotters. He not only is a stellar basketball player, but part of his role with the team is making personal appearances around the world, among other things, bringing elementary school kids the Globetrotters' popular "C.H.E.E.R. For Character" program.
He also gets to do unique things like swim with sharks, which he did in Dec. 2007 at the Newport Aquarium, just outside of Cincinnati, taking the plunge into the 385,000-gallon "Surrounded by Sharks" exhibit. Guests were able to see and hear Moo Moo from the aquarium's theater and tunnels and asked him questions through a wireless system and aquarium staff member. "One person asked if I was nervous. That was the first time I've ever done anything like that, so I guess it's only natural to be nervous. It was a lot of fun though; I wouldn't trade the experience. Just another cool thing you get to do when you're a Globetrotter."
What about the nickname? "Moo Moo. That was my family nickname," he says. "My aunt gave it to me a long time ago for drinking a lot of milk. My mom would give her three or four bottles, because my aunt used to watch me a lot. She would tell my mom, 'You're going to have to buy this guy a moo moo cow,' because I would down those bottles of milk long before my mom came to pick me up."
Born in the Memphis suburb of Millington, Moo Moo excelled on the court at Raleigh-Egypt High School, garnering all-metro, all-district and all-state tournament honors - as well as selections as a Nike All-Star and in the Tennessee East/West All-Star game - and was a McDonald's All-American finalist.
Moo Moo went on to Troy University in Alabama, where he helped lead the Trojans to the school's first ever appearance in the NCAA tournament in 2003, one of his fondest sports memories. Troy compiled a record of 50-13 over Moo Moo's last two college seasons. He graduated with a degree in Business Information Systems and hopes to open a business of his own following his playing career.
A fan of jazz music, Moo Moo also likes to watch television police dramas like "CSI" and "Law and Order," and he will always have his Tennessee loyalties, as he lists the Volunteers, Titans, and Memphis Grizzlies among his favorite sports teams.
HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS' 2010 WORLD TOUR TO BRING HIGH-FLYING FUN-AND A LIFETIME OF MEMORIES- TO ROSEMONT
"World's most famous team" bringing all-new spectacular show to the Allstate Arena
Coming off the most successful year in the franchise's illustrious history, with a record-breaking 62 box offices records and over two million smiling fans, the iconic Harlem Globetrotters are primed to showcase their eye-popping 2010 World Tour in Rosemont on Monday, December 28, 2009, and Tuesday, December 29, 2009 with the wholesome family entertainment known worldwide for thrilling fans young and old and making cherished family memories.
Now in their 84th consecutive season of touring the world, the Globetrotters' high-flying show features some of the most extraordinary athletes and entertainers on the planet - including Big Easy Lofton and Flight Time Lang, who are starring in the Emmy Award-winning CBS reality hit, "The Amazing Race;" the always hilarious Special K Daley; dribbling magician Scooter Christensen; and ball handling wizards Handles Franklin and Ant Atkinson.
Sports Illustrated praised it as "the sports equivalent of comfort food," in its March 2009 feature article on the Globetrotters titled, Still Crazy After All These Years.
"The Harlem Globetrotters are the epitome of world-class family fun," says Michael Kenney, the Globetrotters' senior vice president, live event marketing. "You'll want to get your tickets now for an experience the whole family will be talking about for years to come."
Sponsored by Campbell Soup Company, Spalding, and America's Best Contacts and Eyeglasses, the Harlem Globetrotters will take the court at the Allstate Arena on Monday, December 28, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. and Tuesday, December 29,2009 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Tickets start at $20.00 and are available online at www.ticketmaster.com
The Globetrotters will perform nearly 270 shows in over 200 cities in 44 states, the District of Columbia, five Canadian provinces and Puerto Rico through the first week of May 2010. The Original Harlem Globetrotters have played in 120 countries on six continents, entertaining over 130 million fans and crossing barriers between cultures, societies and people from all walks of life. The Globetrotters are one of only six teams to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. For the latest news and information about the Harlem Globetrotters, and to purchase team merchandise, visit the Globetrotters' official Web site: www.harlemglobetrotters.com.
Harlem Globetrotters
Allstate Arena
December 28 & 29
1-800-745-3000
harlemglobetrotters.com and ticketmaster.com
