Temple University Athletics
FORMER OWL RON "STEAMBOAT" ROLLERSON NAMED MVP OF HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS 2003 FALL COLLEGE TOUR
11.21.03 | Men's Basketball
"Since joining the Globetrotters in late September, Ron has improved dramatically," said Globetrotter Owner and Chairman Mannie Jackson, who also announced the release of two players, including 6-7 guard Juaquin Hawkins and 6-8 forward Shannon Swillis. "Not only has Ron improved his conditioning, but he has refined his overall game. Surprisingly, he averaged 14.4 minutes per game during the college tour, yet ranked among the team leaders in several key categories. If Ron continues this upward path, he could be a superstar."
Overall, the Globetrotters averaged 92.6 points per game and outscored opponents by an average of 19.1 points. They also won the battle of the boards, out-rebounding their opponents 351-to-254, a margin of 12.1 rebounds per contest. The Globetrotters led at halftime of all eight games and shot over .500 percent from the field in every game but the last, an 89-88 loss to the University of Texas-El Paso. The loss to the Miners was the team's only setback on the tour; a hard fought two hour and 37 minute game in which 59 personal fouls were called.
The 2003 Fall College Tour began on Oct. 27th with the Globetrotters posting a 95-67 win over the University of North Dakota, followed by a 97-82 victory over Michigan State University on Nov. 2nd. The Spartans are ranked No. 3 in the country in The Associated Press' preseason college basketball poll and No. 2 by Sports Illustrated. The Globetrotters also posted wins over Siena College (108-75), the defending NCAA Division III national champion Williams College (104-79), and the University of Massachusetts (77-68).
On Nov. 11th the Globetrotters beat the defending NCAA Division I national champion Syracuse Orangemen, 83-70, before a crowd of 20,000-plus and a live television audience (ESPN2) at the Carrier Dome. Syracuse is ranked No. 7 in the AP preseason rankings. The Globetrotters ran their unbeaten streak to 288 games on Nov. 13th with an 89-57 win over Indiana-Purdue University at Fort Wayne.
The Globetrotters are now preparing to embark on their 200-plus city tour of North America that begins on Dec. 26th.
