<![CDATA[JAMAL STEELES

Globetrottin' with The Saint.
By Aaron Joseph

In a sports world full of bad role models, steroid use and unsportsmanlike behaviour, it is difficult for young people to find athletes to look up to. Back in the day, athletes like Terry Fox, Jesse Owens, and Wayne Gretzky exhibited what it meant to be a model athlete and role model. However, there is still hope in the world of professional sports and it comes in three colours: red, white and blue.

Here is a prime example of a living legend, someone living their dreams; a gentlemen whom displays what it means to be model citizen first and an amazing athlete second.

The lights dim and everyone in General Motors Place begins to scream and whistle, a spotlight circles the basketball court and the stands. Everyone at the sold out event is cheering because they know that they are about to see one of the greatest shows on earth, the Harlem Globetrotters. The arena is dark and rumbling with anticipation. Suddenly a loud booming voice says, “Put your hands together, here are your Harlem Globetrotters!”

The spotlight is now shining in circles around the arena and the fans lean over their seats competing to get the first glimpse at the players. Everyone counts down in unison, “Five,Four,Three…” Smoke fills the players entrance as the Superman theme song is played, and out from the smoke emerge the modern-day heroes in their trademark colours (red, white and blue), led by a player with a spinning basketball on his finger, all ready to display their skills.
An unseen announcer and a spotlight introduce the Globetrotters at centre court. When introduced, each performer gives fans a sample of their skills. The spotlight shines on a smiling individual who is introduced as, “A 6-6 versatile player, number 24, Michael “The Saint” St. Julien!” The crowd explodes in excitement.

Back in the locker room, behind the glitz and the glamour, is Michael St. Julien, an ordinary person with extraordinary skills. With a light complexion, a golden smile on his face and standing more than six feet tall, St. Julien, who has an undying love for the game, exhibits what it means to be a Harlem Globetrotter.

St. Julien, 35, is a native of Lafayette, LA.. He played college basketball at McNeese State in Louisiana back in 1992, as well as on weekends with friends. Playing outside of College would pay off for St. Julien. One day in Houston, TX, where St. Julien now lives, he was playing basketball in a gymnasium against some National Basketball League players when Tex Harrison, one of the Globetrotter coaches, saw him playing and was impressed with his skills. Harrison then decided to invite St. Julien to the Globetrotters’ training camp. At age 26, St. Julien became a Harlem Globetrotter, travelling 117 countries and seeing more than 3 million fans around the globe. “The most rewarding part is at the end of the game when I am signing autographs,” says Julien. “It’s rewarding when people are telling me I had a great game and thanking me for coming, I tell them ‘thank you for coming to see us.’”

Standing tall, St. Julien has a way of making others feel just as tall by never talking down to people. He is an easy-going individual, he speaks in a calm manner; with a hint of the south still in his voice. This man seems to be in tune with the world, as well as modest when asked about his glamorous career. On the court he gets along with his comrades as well as with the opposing team players, all in the tradition of sportsmanship,
Having a great North American tour, St. Julien and the team often visit new places and meet new people. St. Julien remembers his most memorable encounter. “I got to meet former democratic president Nelson Mandela,” says St. Julien very proudly. “The Harlem Globetrotters and I celebrated his 79th birthday with him in South Africa.”

Despite the bad reputation basketball stars have been receiving lately, this ambassador of good will is convinced that basketball is still golden. “It has progressed,” he says. “It’s no longer just an American thing, it’s international.” To understand how this player developed his style and technique can be easily explained by the people he looked up to, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird. “I like all the old timers,” says St. Julien laughing, but it is obvious to anyone watching him perform that St. Julien’s skills are adopted from a time when basketball was in its purest form. One of his special skills is a trick move that involves spinning the ball on the back of his hands and slapping it to one of his teammates. “The trick will leave you with a ball in the face if you're not paying attention,” says St. Julien.

Current struggles include a tiring and long road trip spanning from all over the United States and across Canada. “Advice to those who want to become globetrotters?” says the nine-year veteran, “Start early and work on your ball-handling skills. Continue with your education, get your education first,” says St. Julien. “Continue with a great attitude, and be a great person and citizen.” Education was always key for St. Julien, he was when growing up in Lafayette, LA, a town located in the Lafayette Parish, surrounded by forests, bayous, swamps and marshes. St. Julien earned district and parish Most Valuable Player honours at Lafayette High School. In college he performed well in both track and in basketball, earning all-conference honours in both sports. While attending college he also won the Southland Conference indoor/outdoor high jump championships, setting a school record of seven-feet, three inches. He graduated from college with a degree in business management and marketing.

St. Julien says his mentors are his grandfather and uncle who helped him grow up. In his spare time he still volunteers at his local church in Lafayette. This lead forward for the Globetrotters is considered as one of the team’s most gifted athletes and also doubles as the team’s strength and conditioning coach. As for long term plans with the organization, Julien says that he plans to stay with the team for as long as he can. Understanding that it is a demanding job, he and his team go through hours of practice every day. “Two-and-a-half hours every day sometimes more, it depends,” says Julien. “You have to actually become one with the ball, not just say ‘I’m going to do a trick,’ when you haven’t even touched the ball and know how it feels, or what it is like to even do a trick.” This is all true and attests to the age-old saying of “Practice makes perfect,” something the team takes very seriously. “Work on your basketball skills,” says teammate Kevin Daley, “work hard.” like St. Julien, he believes that being a good person is more important than basketball skills. Brandon Hawkins, another Globetrotter, says that the team practices every day and that he is still learning, but that the most rewarding part of all is the friendships.

Becoming a Harlem Globetrotter is only the first step. Once on the team, every player has to work even harder to stay on, practicing their shots, speed and even dancing skills. Everyone enjoys the show St. Julien and the team put on, especially a young lady named Nicole. “I liked the game,” says the 23-year-old woman, who remains young at heart and decided to come watch the game with her friend. “I would come again to watch the Globetrotters.” She speculated that for the skill the Globetrotters possess, they must practice intensely every day. “They’re good because of the skills they have, that’s why I like them.” It’s something St. Julien loves to hear at the end of the day, that fans leave with a smile on their faces. “I hope everyone enjoys seeing the Harlem Globetrotters,” says St. Julien, “because I’m still enjoying it myself.”