Hot Rod De La Rosa Says He Was ‘Born to Be A Globetrotter’ Ahead of Fayetteville Visit

Sometimes, the life ahead of you just shows itself when you're a child. For Joey Hot Rod De La Rosa, he knew he was born to be a member of the Harlem Globetrotters early on in his life.

De La Rosa chatted with The Big Wake Up With Don Chase & Sarah in anticipation of the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters coming to Fayetteville's Crown Coliseum, April 19, 2024.

Hot Rod De La Rosa said the team visited his school in the Bronx as a child, and he just knew this was what he wanted to do when he grew up. The visit left him in awe.

"That day, and in that moment that they came into my school, as a 9-year-old boy, I got inspired to play the game of basketball," De La Rosa said in the interview.

After playing some high-level college basketball and professional basketball, his dreams of becoming a Globetrotter came true.

As the Globetrotters love to say, they dribble, they spin, they slam and they dunk their way past their relentless rivals the Washington Generals.

Tickets are selling fast, so get yours now at www.HarlemGlobeTrotters.com. Or if you prefer, you can make your way to The Crown Coliseum Ticket Office and pick up your tickets in person. The address is 1960 Coliseum Drive, Fayetteville, North Carolina 28306. Access the Crown Center from Owen Drive.

Hours for the Crown Complex Ticket Office are Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. The Ticket Office is also open on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. If you would like to call and purchase tickets by phone or if you have questions, just call the Ticket Office at 910-438-4100.  Click here for the Crown Center Box office.

Here's a Harlem Globetrotters Fun Fact for you: The original Harlem Globetrotters organized nearly one hundred years ago in 1926.

One of my favorite memories as a little boy was Mom and Dad taking my brother Bill and I to the Crown Arena to see the Globetrotters.  At the time, the legendary Meadowlark Lemon, from nearby Wilmington, North Carolina was the ring leader of the team.

The Harlem Globetrotters affectionately known as "the world’s basketball team" will be touring over 400 cities in over 25 countries.  Here in the United States, the Globetrotters will visit over 150 cities.

For more information about the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters, click here.  Also, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

Mom, Dad, Grandmom & Granddad, take the kids but expect to have a fun time as well.

You can listen to our full interview with De La Rosa by pushing play below. Can't wait to see you out at the Crown for Harlem Globetrotters basketball, and a good time with Joey Hot Rod De La Rosa and the crew.

For the first time in nearly seven years, a total solar eclipse is once again coming through North America! The eclipse will occur on Monday, April 8, which gives North Carolina residents time to prepare for the festivities. Many viewing parties are scheduled throughout the state on the day of the celestial phenomenon, so let's take a look at these places you can enjoy the solar eclipse in North Carolina.

For those who don't know, a solar eclipse is when the moon passes between the sun and the earth. According to NASA this year's total solar eclipse will be the last one to go through the United States until 2044. While North Carolina won't be in the "path of totality" (any location where the moon completely covers the face of the sun), the Tar Heel state will still be able to enjoy a breathtaking partial eclipse around 2:00 that afternoon.

In an interview with Public Radio East, Dr. Patrick Treuthardt of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences explained what NC sky-watchers could expect to see on April 8. "The moon is going to obscure about 75% of the disk of the sun, so it's going to look like a large bite has been taken out of the sun by the moon."

Dr. Treuthardt also stressed the importance of proper safety precautions for the eclipse, urging everyone to come equipped with special eclipse-friendly eyewear. It's very dangerous to look at the sun for an extended period of time because it can burn your retina," he said, "so you do want to be careful and you do want to make sure that these eclipse glasses that you get are good."

NASA is also urging people to be safe and responsible while viewing the eclipse. Reminder: eclipse glasses are NOT regular sunglasses. You can find safe and effective solar viewers and filters here.

As expected, many locations throughout North Carolina are holding safe solar eclipse viewing parties that day. Here are a few that you and the family can go to safely enjoy one of nature's most thrilling spectacles:

https://www.uncfsu.edu/about-fsu/community/planetarium

FSU will have several telescopes available to view the eclipse from 2:00 - 4:30, including their brand new 70 mm solar H-alpha telescope! This free event is for the entire community. There will be a limited number of Eclipse Glasses for sale during the event.

NC State is holding a viewing party at the Witherspoon Student Center in Raleigh on April 8. Solar eclipse glasses will be provided if you don't have your own pair. This event is free and open to the public.

Discovery Place Science in Charlotte NC is celebrating the solar eclipse for an entire week before it actually passes through. The week of workshops and fun activities will start April 1 and end on the 8th with a viewing atop the museum's parking deck. The museum will also feature a live stream of the eclipse's totality in their IMAX theatre.

https://www.wake.gov/events/solar-eclipse-viewing-party-april-8th-2024-0230pm

All ages, adults and youth, are invited to join the Wake County government April 8 at the Duraleigh Road Community Library. There will be eclipse trivia, eclipse fun, and a viewing of the rare event! Eclipse glasses will be provided. Registration is requested.

The North Carolina Science Festival is holding a statewide Star Party across many counties throughout the Tar Heel state. These events will run between April 5-8, with many educational opportunities for those who wish to learn more about the cosmos. Click here to find a Star Party close to you.