By DIANE GASPER-O'BRIEN

dobrien@dailynews.net

A former member of the world famous Harlem Globetrotters is coming to town.

Lamont "Showboat" Robinson, who toured with the Harlem Globetrotters in the 1980s, started a group called the Harlem Roadkings about 12 years ago as a spinoff from the Globetrotters.

Now called the Globetravelers, the group tries to book shows in "small-town America."

Bill Hughes, director of the Smith Center Recreation Commission, contacted Bill Meagher, sports director of the Hays Recreation Commission, earlier this fall to tell them about the Globetravelers being in the area.

Meagher also is a religious education instructor at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish and asked the youth directors at the three local Catholic parishes if they were interested in sponsoring such an event.

So Rick Binder, Kathy Volker and Renee Michaud -- sponsors of the Catholic Youth Organizations at IHM, St. Nicholas of Myra and St. Joseph, respectively -- decided to give it a try.

The three CYOs are official sponsors of the event, along with Butterfield Inn of Hays, which is helping with costs of advertising and discounts on rooms for the players.

"We have had really good community response," Volker said.

The Hays show is set for 7 p.m. Sunday in Al Billinger Fieldhouse on the campus of Thomas More Prep-Marian High School.

The Globetravelers also will make appearances at area schools, including Kennedy Middle School on Friday afternoon.

Other night shows include at Hoisington on Saturday and at Smith Center on Monday.

At school appearances, the players stress the importance of staying in school, saying "no" to drugs and "Yes to life, education and family."

High school players are not eligible to play the Globetravelers because of Kansas State High School Activities Association rules.

So the team will be made up of former high school players and community members.

Tickets are $10 per person both in advance and at the door. Buying tickets in advance will assure fans of a seat, and they won't have to stand in line. Children 4 years and younger will be admitted free.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at any of the parish offices.

Doors will open at 6 p.m., and memorabilia will be sold at the event. The Globetravelers will be available to sign autographs after the event.

The show will include four 10-minute quarters of comedy and "razzle dazzle" ball, slam dunks and 3-point shooting.

Proceeds from the event will go to the local CYOs, but making money is secondary to the message the Globetravelers give, Volker said.

"It's a good thing for the community, trying to draw the community together," Volker said. "It's an opportunity for (the Globetravelers) to share their messages, a good family event."

"We'd love to pack the fieldhouse," she added.