Harlem Ambassadors bring laughs to the Kelp Bed
Articles / Sports
Date: May 2 , 2007         

Jon Allred, Sports Editor                                                                                                         

On April 18, the CSU Monterey Bay Otter Sports Center became a tour stop for the internationally acclaimed Harlem Ambassadors basketball team, who are currently touring more than 40 states in their 2007 tour before heading up to Canada and over to Asia.

Offering a unique brand of Harlem-style basketball that includes high flying slam dunks, dazzling ball handling tricks and hilarious comedy routines, the Ambassadors took on the Marina Beachcombers in what was a one-sided contest.  At one point, the Ambassadors were up 50-15 before giving the Beachcombers 50 free points to give them their first lead of the game at 65-50. The Ambassadors would then score the next 25 points of the game in less than three minutes. 

However, the outcome of the game was irrelevant as the main goal of the game was to help raise funds for CSU Monterey Bay athletics and Marina recreation and cultural service programs.  For this event, the Ambassadors partnered up with Marina Rotary, Kiwanis and the Lions Clubs, several of the many organizations the Ambassadors work with exclusively in communities across the United States.

The Ambassadors have carved their own niche by working with local not-for-profit and service organizations that hold Harlem Ambassadors shows as community fundraising events. These shows have helped raise millions of dollars, an accomplishment Ambassadors President Dale Moss is extremely proud of.  “It feels good to be able to provide quality entertainment and create memories that the fans will take with them,” said Moss. “We’re able to give even more when we can help provide funding for a Habitat for Humanity house or new computers for a school library and that feels great.”

Originally conceived in the spring of 1998 by Moss, the Ambassadors continue to spread laughs and a positive message for kids wherever they play.  “At our shows, we want the kids to know they are a part of our team too,” said Ladé Majic, who is in her ninth season as the Ambassadors player/head coach.  “We invite as many kids as we can to come sit on the bench, have a front row seat during the show and get involved in all the fun stuff we do.”