Idol Sports & Entertainment Inc. (formerly Northwest Sports & Entertainment, Inc.) has partnered with the Desert Duel Summer Prep Memorial for its second annual tournament. This joint venture increases the potential for another successful event.
The Desert Duel Memorial Tournament, founded by Tom Crawford’s Leadership Children’s Foundation, is an invitation only tournament created to honor Tom Crawford, a man who lived his life to serve others. This event is an elite boy’s basketball invitational which gathers the most celebrated high school basketball players in the country together to crown a national summer champion. Each team is guaranteed four games throughout the course of the tournament. The event boasts participation from choice teams hailing from 21 different states this year. For a complete list of teams, please visit the Desert Duel Memorial website.
The Desert Duel promises to draw the country’s best NCAA coaches, recruiters, and talent scouts to watch the young stars. Accordingly, 170 out of the 480 Desert Duel Tournament participants in 2008, received scholarship offers totaling over $1 Million. This year the event will be held at Mesquite High School in sunny Gilbert, Arizona and will take place July 26-28.
This tournament is held in conjunction with Tom Crawford’s Leadership Children’s Foundation (TCLCF), a non-profit organization dedicated to helping children. The organization was co-founded by Thomas K. and Tammy Crawford, who have invested their time and energy into the pursuit of helping others-especially children-to live fulfilling lives. TCLCF gives money throughout the year to children’s causes that help preserve childhood and improve the quality of life for young people across the nation. TCLCF has identified six charities to focus their fundraising efforts on: Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Childhelp, Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, TGEN Foundation for Brain Cancer Research, the American Cancer Society: Coaches Vs. Cancer and the V Foundation. In total, TCLCF has donated over $2 million dollars to these worthy organizations. Tom passed away in July 2006, and in honor of his legacy of giving, combined with his love for the game of basketball, tournament organizers have created the Desert Duel Memorial Tournament to not only highlight the superstars of tomorrow, but to continue to raise money for children in desperate need of help today.
Idol Sports has formed a partnership with the Desert Duel in order to boost the recognition of the tournament, as well as support a worthy cause. Along with monetary contributions, Idol Sports will supply several services to the Foundation. Idol Sports will help staff the tournament, as well as assist in PR and marketing for the competition. Idol Sports will also staff a check-in table on Sunday July 26 in addition to hosting a party for the coaches at the W Hotel on Monday July 27. Independently, Idol Sports operates the Northern Quest Casino Celebrity Poker Tournament presented by Comcast featuring Dan Dickau, along with supporting additional charitable organizations. Continuing support and cooperation between the Desert Duel and Idol Sports will help to guarantee that this tournament is a success for years to come.