The Harlem Ambassadors/Amtrak Coast-to-Coast Tour offers a unique mix of the old and new. Slated for the prime basketball period of February 23 to March 24, the tour will carry the Harlem Ambassadors from Philadelphia to Oakland entirely by Amtrak rail service.

"We are very excited to be teaming with Amtrak to present this unique undertaking," said Dale Moss, President of the Harlem Ambassadors. "It seems now, more than ever, the public is seeking wholesome family activities in their own backyard," he added. The Harlem Ambassadors frequently present their world-class basketball extravaganza in small college and large high school facilities where fans have greater access to interact with the performers than they might have in a huge sports arena.

This tour is bringing back the memories of a time when sports teams crisscrossed the nation by rail. Back in the day, instead of the isolation of private air or motor coach transportation, sports stars were accessible to fans as they journeyed by train. However, there is nothing old-fashioned about either the Harlem Ambassadors or Amtrak in the partnership of this tour. The Ambassadors offer many fresh ideas of the traditional African-American Show Basketball presentation. And Amtrak offers an extremely high standard of up-to-date service in modern Superliner rail coaches.

The Harlem Ambassadors Basketball Show features high-flying slam dunks, dazzling ball-handling, and hilarious comedy routines. The team of men professionals is uniquely led by a woman player/coach, Ladè Majic, the "Queen of Show Basketball." The team will be challenged by local opposition at each stop. "We find that no matter what part of the country we tour, the fans love us and the home team always has a few players that can put us to the test," said Ladè Majic. Despite the challenges, the Ambassadors remain undefeated in four years of touring during which the team has journeyed to 14 foreign countries on three continents.

The Tour is projected for performances in 25 communities on Amtrak's routes. The Harlem Ambassadors staff has scheduled performances which benefit local community not-for-profit organizations at stops that include large city, suburban, and rural locations. The Tour is designed to bring good feelings to each of the communities where the Harlem Ambassadors will perform.

This Tour is a great public relations opportunity for the Harlem Ambassadors, Amtrak, and the communities in which the Tour will stop. Print and broadcast media representatives are being invited to join the tour for various segments, traveling with the team, experiencing the pleasures of Amtrak rail transportation, enjoying the communities in which the tour stops, and even having an opportunity to play in the basketball game (for the challenging team). The Harlem Ambassadors public relations representatives and Amtrak PR are coordinating this national media coverage.

As with other Harlem Ambassadors games, the game performances of the Amtrak Coast-to-Coast Tour are benefiting local not-for-profit community, youth, and school organizations. It is estimated that nearly a quarter of a million dollars in funds will be raised for these organizations through this tour. Exact tour schedule will be released in mid-December 2001.