T'ville's Burroughs gives back to kids through sports
By Charlie Anderson Contributing Writer
 | | PHOTO SUBMITTED Tommy Burroughs and his falcons team at the Crush Showcase Classic in Homewood. |
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Tommy Burroughs, who spent his early childhood years in Thomasville and considers himself a native of the Clarke County city, has a passion for helping young people. Having used sports himself while growing up as way to avoid trouble, test and strengthen himself, and build confidence and self-esteem; he has chosen the same vehicle for his involvement with young people.
As a career military man, who holds the rank of Sergeant First Class, he has spent 19 plus years serving his country. During that time he has been stationed in numerous places in and out of the United States including four tours of duty in the Middle East. At most if not all of those duty stations he has sought out and been afforded opportunities to help young people who have a desire to elevate themselves through sports. In so doing he has experienced great success in what he considers his real mission in life, which is helping young people realize just how talented they are and what possibilities there are out there for them if they set their goals and work hard to achieve them.
As part of that mission he has made a commitment to give back to what he considers his own community as well, that being Thomasville and surrounding areas. In an attempt to do that he has formed Team Falcon, an organization whose primary purpose is to uplift young people and provide them opportunities to advance toward the realization of their goals in life. It is his plans and that of the organization to eventually make the programs available to both males and females in all age groups. Things got started this year with a basketball team of young men in grades 9- 12. Although the team was originally formed in the Thomasville and Grove Hill area, the participation was opened up to most of rural Southwest Alabama and tryouts for the team were held at different locations. Those chosen for this initial group are representing high schools from Akron, Demopolis, Linden, Livingston and Newbern. Although the initial interest in the program from Thomasville, Grove Hill, and other areas in close proximity wasn't what he hoped it would be, Burroughs hopes more young people will get involved in the future as the program grows.
Team Falcon participated in their first official AAU tournament during the Memorial Day weekend playing in the Crush Showcase Classic at Homewood High School. The Birmingham based tournament was broken down into brackets with Team Falcon participating in the 15 to 17 year old age division. In their bracket they were matched up with the Birmingham Bad Boys; Huntsville Sting; D. C. Warriors out of Memphis, Tennessee; Kentucky All Stars; and the host Birmingham Crush. In the tournament Team Falcon lost their opener to the Birmingham Bad Boys 77-63 before reeling off wins over the Huntsville Sting 80 - 57, the D. C. Warriors 61 - 59 in double overtime, and the host Birmingham Crush 79-74. That string of victories put them in the championship game against the Kentucky All Stars coached by the legendary Eddie Ford. Although they played them tough Team Falcon fell to the All Stars 68-60 in the finals.
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