Hot Shot & Me for a day

It's always interesting when you know you're going to spend the entire day with a Harlem Globetrotters player. Such was the case last Friday when I had the fortune of escorting Hot Shot Branch around Green Bay. The Globetrotters always send what they call an Advance Ambassador to go out and get publicity before the team performs in a particular city. In this case, the Globetrotters will be in Green Bay on December 30.

Our day started at 6:45am when we headed to FOX 11 for an appearance. Then it was over to WIXX and Y100 and then to CBS 5 for an interview. Then it was off to Kennedy Elementary on the city's west side for a presentation to the kids. It doesn't matter your age, everyone knows a Globetrotter when you see one and it always brings a smile to a face with the immediate response - "you know I use to watch Curly or Meadowlark or I saw them on Scooby Doo." We made promotional stops in the afternoon at Express Convenience and Festival Foods (thanks Nick for the hospitality!) and wrapped up the day with Hot Shot dropping the puck at the Gamblers game.

Hot Shot played college ball at Baylor and works very hard. He says he hasn't had a day off in weeks. Between playing with the team, he's off doing his Advance Ambassador duties. But he wouldn't have it any other way. He loves his job and gets paid to play a game he loves. When he's done, he hopes to have his own radio talk show. But for now, he's spinning the red, white and blue basketball on his fingers or drumstick or hockey stick or anything else he can get his hands on. Because for now, there's a smile to be put on a kid's face when he spins the ball on their finger. Like the commercial says....that's priceless.