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Health E-Insights

An Interview with Don Barnette

Don Barnette was an American sports pioneer. He is one of the Original Harlem Globetrotters, which are currently celebrating their 87th consecutive year in 2013, continuing a world famous tradition of ball handling wizardry and basketball artistry.

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By: Sheldon Baker

CEO, Baker Dillon Group

Don Barnette became the first African American to receive a basketball scholarship earning All Mid-American honors and graduated with a B.S. degree in education from Miami University of Ohio. After his basketball career, he broke many color barriers, which included becoming the first African American male teacher in the Middletown Ohio School System. He was a supervisor for 20 years for the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education U.S. Government, with an innovative track record of leadership and accomplishments. Since 1996, he has been inducted into seven different Hall of Fame organizations including the group induction of the Harlem Globetrotters into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The 106th House of Representatives (1999-2001) recognized the contributions of the Harlem Globetrotters legends. 
 
By Sheldon Baker
 
Health E-Insights: How did you become a Globetrotter?
 
Mr. Barnette: Bill Rohr, my college coach at Miami University of Ohio, was aware of my ambition for becoming a member of the Harlem Globetrotters. He wrote to the club’s owner, Abe Saperstein, with my request. Abe and I corresponded, until he offered me a tryout and the rest is history. Abe hired me and made my dream come true.
 
Health E-Insights: Would you agree that today’s Globetrotters have a new approach on the court?
 
Mr. Barnette: Yes. There is more of a business atmosphere combined with the sport of basketball. The only familiarity is the Harlem Globetrotters brand. Every year the players are changed and fans are constantly reminded throughout the game of their sponsors and to purchase merchandise.
 
Health E-Insights: How were injuries handled in the era you played?
 
Mr. Barnette: We certainly didn’t have sports medicine. We were playing a game in Mexico, in a bullfighting arena. I had on regular knee pads. The ground was so tough that my pads buckled under me exposing my knees and caused a gash on the side of my patella. After I finished my routine I went to the locker room for peroxide. J.C. Gibson, our six-foot, eight-inch forward weighing in at 280 pounds sat on my humble 165 pound frame. The guys poured peroxide on my wound and I had to continue playing basketball. We were the original Streetballers.
 
Health E-Insights: Would you consider meals provided by the team to be healthy food?
 
Mr. Barnette: No. We received a food allowance from the team. The food we were served at local restaurants was the equivalent to a fast food diet today, which we know is not conducive to the health conscious fitness trainers of today’s standards.
 
Health E-Insights: Was nutrition ever discussed? 
 
Mr. Barnette: Another no. We did not have dietitians or nutritionists—and certainly no sports drinks or vitamins.
 
Health E-Insights: How would you categorize your health today? 
 
Mr. Barnette: I was known as the dribbling wizard and I slid on my knees in swimming pools and many types of surfaces, which eventually damaged both knees. The right knee was so severely injured that I had surgery in August 2009. The surgery has still not completely alleviated my pain and I cannot walk anywhere in or outside of home without the aid of a walking device.
 
Health E-Insights: What were some of the countries you traveled to?
 
Mr. Barnette: We traveled to over 80 countries. The more memorable include Thailand, Bangkok, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Peru, Buenos Aires, Argentina and Mexico.
 
Health E-Insights: Did you experience racial injustice when you traveled to other countries?  
 
Mr. Barnette: It was predominantly a U.S. matter.
 
Health E-Insights: Who was your most favorite Globetrotter you played with? 
 
Mr. Barnette: Bobby ‘Showboat’ Hall. He was truly magical with his master ball handling and his outstanding half court hoop shot.
 
Sheldon Baker is well known for creating nutraceutical brand marketing and public relations campaigns. For Health E-Insights interview consideration, contact him at Sheldon@NutraInk.com. And follow him on Twitter @NutraInk.
  
 

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