INDIANAPOLIS---The NCAA and Habitat for Humanity International, in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga, are teaming up to frame a house in partnership with a local Chattanooga family at the NCAA Division I Football Championship.
The build will take place on Thursday, December 18, from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. ET in the parking lot of W. Max Finley Stadium/Davenport Field in Chattanooga.
More than 20 volunteers, along with roughly 70 representatives from each of the respective Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) teams in the championship game, will frame the home at the build site throughout the day. The home will remain on display through the championship game that Friday evening, and then it will be moved to a permanent location.
"We are thrilled to be partnering with the NCAA to build another home for a family in Chattanooga,” said John Lamb, director of development with HFH of Greater Chattanooga. “We appreciate the NCAA’s commitment to involving its staff and student-athletes in hands-on-service. This program has touched the lives of so many people across the country since it began in 2005 in the wake of the storms in the Gulf Coast.”
The NCAA and Habitat for Humanity International began their “Home Team” partnership in September 2005 to help with the rebuilding efforts following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Since the relationship began, more than 5,000 NCAA student-athletes, coaches, staff and other volunteers have helped build nearly 60 homes throughout the nation.
Home Team builds are generally conducted at NCAA championships and events where NCAA student-athletes are present.
The NCAA Division I Football Championship will produce the national champions of the FCS division. The FCS exemplifies high-quality competition, sportsmanship, excellence, excitement and community throughout the regular season and culminating in the championship experience. Championship game attendance has exceeded stadium capacity the last two years and the 2008 game will mark the third straight year the stadium has sold out. The game will be broadcast at 8 p.m. on Friday, December 19, on ESPN2 and ESPN360.com.
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 400,000 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, its goals and members and corporate partnerships that help support programs for student-athletes. The NCAA is proud to have the following elite companies as official Corporate Champions—AT&T, Coca-Cola and Pontiac—and the following elite companies as official Corporate Partners—Enterprise, The Hartford, Hershey’s, Lowe’s, Sheraton and State Farm.
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 1976, Habitat has built 300,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1.5 million people. For more information, visit www.habitat.org.
About Habitat for Humanity Greater Chattanooga
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga is a not-for-profit, ecumenical, Christian organization dedicated to transforming the lives of low-income, hard-working families through the American dream of homeownership. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga works with local sponsors, donors and volunteers to build simple, decent affordable and safe homes that are sold to qualifying families without interest. To learn more about HFH of Greater Chattanooga or to make a donation, call (423) 756-0507 or visit www.habichatt.org.
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