Former Harlem Globetrotter speaks to Warren Early College students

Harlem Globetrotter Legend James “Twiggy” Sanders spoke to approximately 70 Warren Early College High School students at the Warren County Campus of Vance-Granville Community College on Nov. 12.

For Sanders, the speaking engagement marked the final leg of a tour of all four VGCC campuses. He has previously spoken for various events at the other locations, all in 2015.

In Warrenton, Sanders spoke to the students about the importance of a post-secondary education today, and how his degree from Johnson C. Smith University provided him with options. The students listened attentively as he shared his story of how he was invited to the Harlem Globetrotters’ tryout camp, and out of 40 players from all over the country, he was selected. He stated that had he not made the Globetrotters, he had already been accepted into the physical therapy program at N.C. State.

“Education is a ‘must’ today,” Sanders told the students. “We constantly have to upgrade ourselves and our resumes, so thank God for places like VGCC.” He also imparted to the audience a favorite maxim: “Fortune favors the prepared mind.”

A Raleigh native, Sanders played with the Globetrotters from 1974 until 1991. He later became the 27th person in the Globetrotters’ history to be honored by the team as a “Legend,” joining the ranks of other Showmen like Reece “Goose” Tatum, Hubert “Geese” Ausbie and “Sweet” Lou Dunbar. Following his Globetrotter career, Sanders continued to be involved in the game he loved, but this time as a coach. Now retired and living in Knightdale, he continues to give back by coaching at the middle school that he once attended.

His VGCC presentations were facilitated by the college’s Male Mentoring Program co-coordinator, Anthony Pope.

 

Above:  Warren Early College High School students Kiah Durham (left) and Alexis Young-Soucy (right) meet Harlem Globetrotter legend James “Twiggy” Sanders. (VGCC photo)