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The Harlem Ambassadors and a Kid From Jay
Last night I was in Schenectady for the Harlem Ambassadors Touring Basketball Show. I wouldn't normally drive so far for such an event, but one of my friends was working with the team. Bryan Benway, an Ausable Valley Central School graduate and a 2005 graduate from Plattsburgh State, is the court announcer for the traveling professional hoopsters.
It was a great opportunity to see Bryan at work, to watch a classy professional basketball team entertain the crowd, and to spend the night with my son Erik, who lives in nearby Cohoes. What could possibly go wrong? Well, sadly, a few things did go wrong. First, the crowd was much smaller than anticipated, maybe 300 in attendance instead of an expected 800 or more. And the crowd, despite the valiant efforts of the Ambassadors, wasn't really willing to get into the fun spirit of the night. And the Ambassadors' opponents, calling themselves the Schenectady High Risers, didn't always cooperate with the traveling team, sometimes intentionally knocking away trick passes and occasionally wanting to show that they could outdo the pro players.
The Ambassadors, however, were undeterred and showed the class that makes them the professionals that they are. Led by the Number One show woman of professional basketball, Lade (pronounced Lady) Majic, the six Ambassadors players gave it their all, throwing in three-pointers on the run, slamming and jamming the ball, and holding up the game for some comedy or dance routines. Lade Majic, who played on a high school state championship basketball team in New Jersey, is the coach and floor general. She has played more show basketball games than any other woman in hoop history.
Along with the other players, Bobby "Sugar Bear" Patman, Maurice Jones, Tyler George, Reggie Ellis and Terry Turner, Lade Majic not only demonstrated basketball talent, but some dance moves, as well. Referee YoVanna Rosenthal carried the whistle well, and I noticed that Randy Lozier, one of our own Champlain Valley Athletic Conference basketball officials, was there to pick up some refereeing pointers from YoVanna. The Ambassadors Show was high-energy from the opening whistle, but there's no time to rest. It's pack up after the game, get a few hours sleep, and head for the next town tomorrow night.
But let's not forget the "Kid from Jay," Bryan Benway. Bryan's never been one to back down from a microphone! And he has plenty of opportunities to sound off in his role as court announcer. He serves as deejay and manages the entertainment from his half-court seat. His enthusiasm is a definite asset to the show. Bryan even gets into the act at times, and, at one point, stands up and shows the crowd some dance moves of his own. He's learned a lot from Lade Majic and the guys he travels with. Bryan's moves last night were moves that have never been seen in Jay. In fact, if he tries some of those moves this summer in Jay, New York, he may get ticketed for a moving violation!
Bryan's dad and mom, Chris and Kim, along with his aunt and a few other friends, made the trip to Schenectady to watch him at work. They, too, were impressed with the great job he does. How many other guys in their early 20s have an opportunity such as this? Bryan took a bold move in accepting the job about a year ago. He's just at the beginning of a career in professional sports broadcasting and who knows what big doors will be open to him with the Harlem Ambassadors on his resume, right next to North Country Cable Network!
An important part of the Harlem Ambassadors show is that they usually perform for a benefit cause. Last night it happened to be that the money raised went to Habitat for Humanity, a cause well-known here in the North Country.
All in all, it made for a fun night in Schenectady. The Harlem Ambassadors granted North Country Cable Network permission to make a videotape of the show. So, the North Country will have an opportunity to see the "Kid from Jay" at work. And get to see Lade Majic and the Harlem Ambassadors perform. Erik and I enjoyed the game, and it was easy to see that the organization is a class operation. Everyone involved with the Ambassadors' organization has a college degree or is working towards one. Everyone involved with the Ambassadors is drug-free. It all adds up to a group of great role models at a time when we often have to search to find a professional athlete who would make a good role model. Well, now you know, you have to look no further than Lade Majic and the Harlem Ambassadors. Oh, yeah, and the "Kid from Jay."
Comments
As one of the organizers of the game in Schenectady I have to add my input. I think the Ambassadors did a great job getting the crowd and especially the kids involved in the game, but a few things need to be understood. First off the crowd was about what we expected just about 400, 80% of that were the kids which for a night had an evening of entertainment in a safe atmosphere. Secondly the Schenectady High Risers team received about 8 mins of instructions on how the game would go. In my opinion they were first class in allowing themselves to be the butt of jokes and put on a great show for the crowd themselves. I'm sorry you feel some things went wrong but from my perspective we raised funds for great causes, gave kids a night out and had nothing but positive feedback. Thanks Ambassadors!!!!!!
Posted by: Richard Voris | April 8, 2006 11:02 AM
Foxy, Bryan has been a good friend of mine for a number of years. I really wanted to get down to the show but work restrictions wouldn't allow it.
Very rarely do young people have a good idea of what they want to do for a career. Bryan has been dedicated since he was in junior high and doing the Public Address work for the Missing Children's Basketball tournament and the Ausable Forks Fastpitch tournament. He has continued his dedication into his early professional career and will undoubtedly not stop now.
I have had the pleasure of not only being his friend but being the videographer for him on a number of North Country Cable broadcasts. I encourage everyone who has not listened or watched him on tv in the past to watch the broadcast of the Ambassadors.
Posted by: chad garcia | April 6, 2006 9:35 PM