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About Us

Overview

This Desert Duel Summer Prep Memorial is an elite boys basketball invitational that brings together the most distinguished high school basketball players in the country for a high-octane tournament to crown the national boy’s basketball summer champion. Participating teams are handpicked by the respected tournament organizing committee and are guaranteed four games against the nation’s top talent.

Hosted in beautiful Gilbert, Arizona, July 26-28, the 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. The entry fee for all teams has been waived thanks to generous donations by the tournament sponsors.

History

Tom Crawford’s Leadership Children’s Foundation (TCLCF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping children. 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. From child abuse prevention and treatment to the fight against childhood diseases, TCLCF has directed over two million dollars to global organizations dedicated to helping children.

The organization was co-founded by Thomas K. and Tammy Crawford. Beyond generous financial gifts, the Crawfords invested their time and energy into the pursuit of helping others -- especially children -- to live fulfilling lives.

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.

To give a gift in honor of Tom's legacy of giving, please follow the link below.

Tom Crawford - a legacy of compassion

On July 2, 2006, time stopped, if just for a moment. At the end of long bike trail down the mountain terrain of Deer Valley, Utah, Tom Crawford spotted a sign marking a double black diamond trail. His trek was just about over, but something about that sign drew his attention. Alluring, it was an irresistible challenge that called to Tom the way our bodies scream for oxygen, sustenance, and shelter. Sure, there was a much easier route where he could coast down, grab something to eat and head home. But faced with that fork in the road, Tom took the only path he knew – the challenging path that few dared take.

Yet the same decision that would ultimately lead to his death that day is the same headstrong will that made Tom great. His passion for life – for daring to tackle opportunities that conventional wisdom and sage advice would say are impossible – drove him to be a fiercely dedicated husband and father, a successful entrepreneur, a humble philanthropist, and a man who sought the heart of God with an unquenchable thirst.

After a successful career in corporate America, Tom spurned the safety of his position leading one of the most respected franchise finance companies in the United States to join his wife Tammy in founding Leadership Network Corporation, where their dream and guiding philosophy was to “Change People’s Lives for the Better”.

“People didn’t realize the wonderful things he did. Tom was a quiet force in our industry who had an impact behind the scenes, and we’re going to miss him,” said Jennie Jones, a longtime friend and executive with S&D Coffee.

Beyond mere words, Tom lived to serve others. Whether stranger or close friend, if someone was in need, Tom would be first in line to be their champion – and always anonymously, seeking no glory for himself.

“As early as age 5, Tom knew the art of sharing,” recounted Pam LaMarsh, Tom’s cousin, and the Director of the Leadership Children’s Foundation. “When he received anything new he wanted you to not only see it, but to play with it. Around that time he received a Shetland pony. Instead of riding around showing off his new prize, he insisted everyone get on and ride the pony. He got more joy out of seeing someone else on the pony than he got from riding it himself.”

Tom moonlighted as an actor, writer, professional speaker, and comedian, infusing his creativity, dry wit and playful spirit in all his endeavors. He will be sorely missed.