Sweet Lou Dunbar Named Head Coach for Globetrotters 2009 World Tour

PHOENIX – One of the most popular showmen in team history, Harlem Globetrotters Legend Sweet Lou Dunbar has been named a head coach for the upcoming 2009 World Tour.

Entering his 29th year with the organization, Dunbar spent the last year in player development, working with the team’s new generation of players, as well as making special media appearances for the team.

Throughout his illustrious career, fans across the world adored Sweet Lou’s on-court comedy routines and shared his love of the game. One of the most revered players in Globetrotter history, he has journeyed three times around the world, playing in front of more than 10 million people on six continents. Among his many travels, Sweet Lou was one of the Globetrotters on hand when the team visited Rome and named Pope John Paul II an Honorary Globetrotter on Nov. 29, 2000.

Dunbar was discovered by a Globetrotter scout during a summer pro league with the NBA’s Houston Rockets. Dunbar has made Houston his permanent home since starring for the University of Houston from 1972-1975. At 6-10, he was one of the first big men to play point guard for a major university. He also played forward and center for the Cougars, earning All-American honors.

Sweet Lou will be among 10 inductees into the University of Houston Hall of Honor on November 15.

Dunbar is one of only 27 people to be honored with the Globetrotters’ prestigious “Legends” ring, presented to those who have made a major contribution to the success and the development of the Globetrotter organization. He was bestowed that honor on Feb. 9, 2007, at Houston’s Toyota Center.

Sponsored by Campbell Soup Company, the Harlem Globetrotters are preparing for their 83rd consecutive season of touring the world. The Globetrotters have played in 119 countries on six continents, entertaining over 128 million fans and are one of only six teams to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. For the latest news and information about the Harlem Globetrotters, and to purchase team merchandise, visit the team’s official Web site: www.harlemglobetrotters.com.