Former Harlem Globetrotter to speak at VGCC South Campus to “Plus 50” adults


James “Twiggy” Sanders is seen here speaking at VGCC earlier this year. He will make his first appearance at the college’s South Campus on Oct. 6. (VGCC photo)

James “Twiggy” Sanders is seen here speaking at VGCC earlier this year. He will make his first appearance at the college’s South Campus on Oct. 6. (VGCC photo)

The “Plus 50” initiative at Vance-Granville Community College is hosting a free workshop/luncheon for students and community members, age 50 and over, featuring former Harlem Globetrotter James “Twiggy” Sanders.

The program, entitled “New Beginnings,” will be held on Tuesday, October 6, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., in the seminar room (G1131) at VGCC’s South Campus, located between Creedmoor and Butner.

Sanders will discuss the benefits of returning to school as a “Plus 50” student and being a lifelong learner. He previously spoke on the importance of education at VGCC’s Main Campus and Franklin County Campus in early 2015.

Participants will also have opportunities to network and learn about the college’s curriculum and continuing education programs, particularly those related to health care, education and social services.

A Raleigh native, Sanders was a standout at Ligon High School, where he was all-conference, all-state and All-American in 1970, and was also named the Wake County Player of the Year. He continued his education and basketball career at Johnson C. Smith University, earning a spot on the CIAA All-Tournament team his junior and senior year. He received his B.S. in Physical Education in 1974. Nicknamed “Twiggy” for his lean build, Sanders played with the Globetrotters from 1974 until 1991. Living up to the Globetrotter name, Sanders traveled more than 75,000 miles to over 100 countries on six continents.

Following his Globetrotter career, Sanders continued to be involved in the game he loved, but this time as a coach. He has coached at Bonner Academy in Raleigh, Morris Brown College in Atlanta, the Raleigh Cougars of the United States Basketball League, and with the ABA’s Maryland Nighthawks, a team that he guided to the semi-finals in the 2004-05 season. Sanders was also an assistant men’s basketball coach at Shaw University, three blocks from where he grew up in Raleigh. Now retired and living in Knightdale, he continues to give back by coaching at the middle school that he once attended.

There is no charge for attending the workshop/luncheon, but registration in advance is required. Participants can register online at www.vgcc.edu/twiggy. The deadline to register is Oct. 5.

This event is made possible through VGCC’s Plus 50 Encore Completion Grant from the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). The grant is part of a national effort to train 10,000 baby boomers for new jobs in health care, education and social services. The Plus 50 Encore Completion Program is funded with a $3.2 million grant to AACC provided by Deerbrook Charitable Trust.

For more information, contact Kyle Burwell at (252) 738-3276 or burwellk@vgcc.edu or Suzanne Keil at (252) 738-3344 or keils@vgcc.edu.