INDIANAPOLIS --- Women’s basketball fans now have a chance to own a piece of the 2007 NCAA Women’s Final while also supporting a worthy cause. The NCAA is auctioning tournament memorabilia to raise money for Habitat for Humanity International’s hurricane recovery efforts. The online auction is the latest effort in an ongoing NCAA “Home Team” partnership between the two organizations.

“With the 2007 Women’s Final Four being held in Cleveland under the theme ’Women Rock,’ we thought it was only appropriate to auction off special mini and extra large replica guitars for a worthy cause,” said Melody Lawrence, NCAA Home Team project coordinator. A 10-foot tall, 90-pound guitar replica, with a custom 2007 NCAA Women’s Final Four design listing all 64 tournament teams is the centerpiece of the auction. The replica toured the city of Cleveland throughout the Women’s Final Four festivities.  

In addition, one mini guitar has been signed by the head coaches of all four teams in the Women’s Final Four - Pat Summitt of Tennessee, Sylvia Hatchell of North Carolina, Bob Starkey of LSU and C. Vivian Stringer of Rutgers – is available for auction. Four additional mini guitars, each signed by one of these four coaches, will also be sold to the highest bidder. All proceeds from these five guitar auctions will benefit Habitat for Humanity’s hurricane recovery work on the Gulf Coast.

All five guitars are now being auctioned off to the highest bidder at http://auctions.ncaasports.com.

The NCAA Home Team partnership with Habitat for Humanity International began in 2005 after hurricanes struck the Gulf Coast. The NCAA has committed $2.5 million for the three-year partnership. Since the partnership began, more than 800 student-athletes and other volunteers have helped build nearly 20 homes in partnership with needy families.

About the NCAA

The NCAA is a membership-led nonprofit association of colleges and universities committed to supporting academic and athletic opportunities for more than 380,000 student-athletes at more than 1,000 member colleges and universities. Each year, more than 49,000 student-athletes compete in NCAA Championships in Division I, II and III sports. Visit www.ncaa.org for more details about the Association, its goals and members and corporate partnerships that help support programs for student-athletes.

About Habitat for Humanity International

Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in Americus, Ga., in 1976, Habitat has built more than 200,000 houses in nearly 100 countries, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1 million people. For more information, visit www.habitat.org.

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