(SACRAMENTO, Calif., Nov. 15, 2007) – Twenty-five exceptional students of Sacramento’s Bannon Creek Elementary, who have won class Humanitarian Awards for Kindness, arrived in style on Nov. 15, as they were brought to school on the team bus of the World Famous Harlem Globetrotters.

The students were in awe as the red, white and blue custom bus pulled up to the curb and produced “Special K” Daley, “Showtime” Gaffney, “Scooter” Christensen and “Flight Time” Lang, who exchanged high-fives and laughs with the wide-eyed youngsters.

For the first time in their history, the Harlem Globetrotters’ 2008 “Magic As Ever” World Tour opened in Sacramento with five spectacular shows.  The Globetrotters took part of that week to visit several elementary schools, presenting the team’s highly acclaimed “C.H.E.E.R. For Character” program.

“Our students had the ride of a lifetime this morning, and we truly appreciate what wonderful role models the Globetrotters players are for our youngsters and what terrific community citizens and partners they are,” said Heidi Yanez, Public Information Officer of Natomas Unified School District.  “The children were beaming and grinning from ear to ear when the bus pulled up.  The Globetrotters have created a lifetime of memories for these wonderful students.”

Sponsored by Campbell Soup Company, the Harlem Globetrotters are celebrating their 82nd consecutive season of touring the world.  The Globetrotters have played in 118 countries on six continents, entertaining over 125 million fans and crossing barriers between cultures, societies and people from all walks of life.  The Globetrotters are one of only six teams to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.   Click here for ticket information for the 2008 “Magic As Ever” World Tour.