Final Weeks

            So within our final weeks until the Desert Duel tournament I am getting into the fine details.  Our tentative schedule so far is:

SUNDAY (JULY 26, 2009) MONDAY/TUESDAY (JULY 27 - 28, 2009)

CHECK-IN (3:00 PM - 6:00 PM) TOURNAMENT PLAY

Location: Schedule:

Best Western Dobson Ranch Inn Monday: 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM

1666 S. Dobson Road Tuesday: 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM 

Mesa, AZ 85202-5699 (the Championship Game begins at 9:00 PM)

Tel: (480) 831-7000

•  Check-in

•  Registration

 TEAM WELCOME EVENING (7:00 PM - 9:00 PM)

Location:

Mesquite High School

500 S. McQueen Rd.

Gilbert, AZ 85233

  • Tournament Video Presentation

  • Keynote Speaker:  To Be Announced

  • Dinner

We also had to create the brackets and decide which team was playing and what there time slots are.  For this event, as I stated before, I am also coming up with lists of media contacts and I was a big help in creating the media and press release.  This is what our final media release includes and will be sent out across the country on Monday July 20^th;

 

PHOENIX TO SHOWCASE BEST IN HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL FROM ACROSS NATION

First Annual Desert Duel Charity Basketball Tournament

Gilbert, Ariz. – On July 27, 2009, the next generation of basketball stars will land in the Valley of the Sun. For the first time ever, high school students from around the country will go head-to-head to compete in the inaugural Desert Duel basketball tournament at Mesquite High School located at 500 S. McQueen Road in Gilbert, AZ. The tournament will last through Tuesday, July 28, 2009.

Participating teams have been handpicked by Tom Crawford’s Leadership Children’s Foundation (TCLCF), a non-profit organization dedicated to helping youth across the nation. This NCAA sanctioned tournament is expected to draw more than 5,000 fans, while college basketball recruiters from across the nation turn out to see who will lead the pack of high school boys basketball stars.

“Desert Duel is strategically poised to follow the Las Vegas invitational, promising to attract the country’s top college coaches, recruiters, and talent scouts to watch the elite prep players in the world showcase their talent,” said Justin Peterson, a tournament organizer. “It will be an honor and a thrill to watch.”

Funds raised at the Desert Duel will support TCLCF, which funds children's causes that help preserve childhood and improve the quality of life for young people. From child abuse prevention and treatment in the fight against childhood diseases, TCLCF has directed over two million dollars to global organizations dedicated to helping children.  TCLCF is a 501(c)(3) foundation co-founded by Thomas K. and Tammy Crawford. Thomas K. Crawford passed away in July 2006.  Tournament organizers have created the Desert Duel Memorial Tournament in honor of Tom’s legacy by highlighting the stars of tomorrow, while raising funds for less fortunate children. 

 “We really want to give these young athletes a chance to showcase their talents but also offer them an opportunity to give back to kids that are not as fortunate,” said Tammy Crawford. “We hope it inspires them to pay it forward by continuing to help others.”

Tickets are $10 and available for purchase at the door. Entry is free for all teams as fees have been waived thanks to generous donations by tournament sponsors.

For more information about Desert Duel 2008, visit www.desertduelmemorial.com

These are just some ideas of what I am working on and all of the finalized paperwork I have to make sure gets out to as many people as possible before the tournament in two weeks.