INDIANAPOLIS--- NCAA student-athletes and local volunteers will join forces with Habitat for Humanity to build a record 10 homes during the NCAA Division II National Championships Festival in Houston, May 13-17.
More than 600 student-athletes who will compete in NCAA championships during the week will frame and build homes around their competition and practice schedules at Memorial Park and Umland Park subdivision in Houston. This is the largest NCAA build with Habitat for Humanity to date. Builds will begin at 8:00 a.m. daily.
“Division II campuses across the country place a strong emphasis on community engagement initiatives and serve as a front porch to their communities,” said Terri Steeb, NCAA director of Division II. “We are proud to be a part of the largest NCAA build for Habitat for Humanity and are thrilled to provide a positive experience for student-athletes while giving back to the Houston community.”
This is the second Habitat build that has taken place at an NCAA Division II National Championships Festival and the third at a Division II championship. The NCAA built homes at the 2006 Division II National Championships Festival in Pensacola, Fla., and at the 2006 Division II Men’s and Women’s Swimming Championships in Indianapolis.
The NCAA and Habitat for Humanity International entered a three-year “Home Team” partnership in 2005 to build homes at NCAA championships and events to help with rebuilding efforts following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The partnership provides donations through additional fundraising and volunteers for the rebuilding efforts. Additionally, the NCAA has received financial and building material support from NCAA Corporate Partner Lowe’s who supports NCAA student-athletes, the NCAA partnership with Habitat for Humanity, and the volunteers who help at each build site.
"The young athletes who will take time to volunteer with Habitat during this competition will be building the foundation for a new life for 10 deserving and hardworking families," said Algentia Scott Davis, executive director of Houston Habitat for Humanity. "The NCAA, which has tackled the crisis of affordable housing on a national level, is an invaluable partner to our local Habitat affiliate and will leave a sustaining impact in one of Houston's newest subdivisions, Umland Park," Davis added.
Division II led supportive efforts for the “Home Team” initiative in 2005 with a $1 million gift which was followed by a $500,000 matching gift from the Association and the NCAA National Office. The Association donated an additional $1 million to bring the total to $2.5 million. In addition to the National Championships Festival builds, the NCAA will also take part in the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project on the Gulf Coast, Mississippi, May 11-18.
Since the relationship between the NCAA and Habitat for Humanity began, more than 1,000 student-athletes and other volunteers have helped build more than 25 homes in partnership with low income families who have been displaced. One of the unique features of the Habitat for Humanity program is that while homeowners purchase the homes at no profit, they must also complete “sweat equity” hours to be eligible, meaning future homeowners will be working side-by-side with the student-athletes and with volunteers.
The NCAA Division II National Championships Festival will take place concurrently with the Habitat builds. The Olympic-themed event will feature Opening and Closing ceremonies and athlete-centered housing and special activities. The 2008 festival is a unique NCAA event where national champions will be crowned in men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s golf, women’s lacrosse and softball in one geographical location.
The following are the NCAA Habitat build locations and times for May 13-17:
• Memorial Park
8 a.m. – 1 p.m. each day
• Umland Park Subdivision (11000 Mosscrest St., Houston)
Tuesday-Friday, 8 – 11 a.m.; 12:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, 8-11 a.m.
For more information on the Division II National Championships Festival, click here.
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 54,000 student-athletes compete in NCAA championships in Divisions I, II and III sports. Visit www.ncaa.org and www.ncaa.com for more details about the Association, ts goals and members and corporate partnerships that help support programs for student-athletes.
About Habitat for Humanity
Founded in 1988, Houston Habitat for Humanity is a not-for-profit organization that provides new homes for hard-working, low-income Houstonians who otherwise would not be able to afford a mortgage. The organization provides zero-interest loans to first-time homebuyers who partner with volunteers and sponsors to build their own homes. Since its inception, Houston Habitat has built more than 700 homes in Houston and Harris County and ranks as one of the top-producing Habitat for Humanity International affiliates in the United States.
For more information about Houston Habitat for Humanity, its affordable housing sponsorship and its volunteer opportunities, visit www.houstonhabitat.org or call (713) 671-9993.
Houston Habitat for Humanity: Celebrating 20 Years --- Building Homes. Changing Lives.
About Lowe’s
Lowe’s is a proud supporter of Habitat for Humanity International, American Red Cross, United Way of America, and the Home Safety Council, in addition to numerous non-profit organizations and programs that help communities across the country. In 2007, Lowe’s and the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation together contributed more than $27.5 million to support community and education projects in the United States and Canada. Lowe’s also encourages volunteerism through the Lowe’s Heroes program, a company-wide employee volunteer initiative. Lowe’s is a FORTUNE® 50 company with fiscal year 2007 sales of $48.3 billion and has more than 1,525 stores in the United States and Canada. For more information, visit www.lowes.com/community.
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