The NCAA has announced a partnership with Habitat for Humanity to coordinate long-term relief efforts for the victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

The two storms that devastated coastal areas in Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi and Alabama in August and September left hundreds of thousands homeless and disrupted countless more lives, including those of NCAA student-athletes and their families.

While many NCAA member institutions and conferences already have conducted relief efforts of their own, the agreement with Habitat provides a long-term approach that leverages NCAA championships and other assets to provide assistance.

The partnership is called "Home Team," a collaborative effort designed to raise funds and provide volunteer labor to help with long-term rebuilding efforts in the Gulf Coast.

Habitat for Humanity International, based in Americus, Georgia, is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since 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.

Home Team includes a $1 million lead gift from NCAA Division II. The funding was approved by the Division II Presidents Council, which allocated money previously designated for supplemental distribution to Division II colleges and universities. Also included is a matching gift of $500,000 from the NCAA national office, plus additional voluntary donations to be collected at all 88 NCAA national championships. In addition, the NCAA will promote Habitat for Humanity hurricane-rebuilding efforts at all 88 national championships through customized promotional plans.

As part of the partnership, the NCAA also will work with various Habitat programs to mobilize the NCAA's national Student-Athlete Advisory Committees in all three divisions and member coaching associations to help provide volunteer support to build homes for families in need of decent, affordable housing.

NCAA student-athletes, college and university coaches, athletics administrators and NCAA national office employees may assist in building houses with families in hurricane-affected areas through "Collegiate Challenge," Habitat's alternative spring break event, and through local Habitat affiliates across the nation.

"This is our grass-roots effort to make a difference in a catastrophic set of events," said NCAA President Myles Brand. "Our colleges and universities and conferences, along with many of our 360,000 student-athletes, have been involved at the local level in hurricane relief since the destruction first caused by Hurricane Katrina. The NCAA now is embarking on an important national partnership with Habitat for Humanity International to lend our support to the long-term hurricane relief effort."

Brand said by harnessing NCAA resources at the national level, the Association and Habitat for Humanity can give new meaning to the term "team building."

"This effort provides a lasting contribution by working together toward a larger, more effective, affordable and attainable housing solution," he said.

Jonathan Reckford, chief executive officer of Habitat for Humanity International, welcomed the partnership, saying that the need is so great for hurricane relief that his organization can not do it alone.

"With the help from partners like the NCAA, we are able to provide simple, decent housing for those who would not normally qualify for conventional lending programs but who are willing to help build their own home and then pay for it through a no-profit, no-interest loan. Together, we can begin rebuilding the Gulf Coast -- one nail, one wall, one house, one family at a time."

Kathryn A. Martin, chair of the NCAA Division II Presidents Council and chancellor at the University of Minnesota Duluth, said while most campuses have provided hurricane relief in some way, the Division II contribution "provides an opportunity to be part of a major national initiative and make the kind of impact that can only be made with this size of donation."

"Division II places a high priority on service for our student-athletes," Martin said, "and the Home Team program provides a meaningful and tangible way to serve those in need."

The NCAA plans to sponsor Habitat houses in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, the primary locations where hurricanes Katrina and Rita caused major damage. The NCAA also may sponsor Habitat houses for hurricane victims who have relocated to other cities, including Indianapolis.

Some of the NCAA-sponsored Habitat houses may be built off-site and shipped where needed. Construction of these "houses in a box" projects could take place at NCAA member campuses, coaches association meetings and championship venues, including the 2006 Men's and Women's Final Fours in Indianapolis and Boston, respectively.

The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), along with coaches associations in the other 22 NCAA-sponsored sports, have indicated their support as well. Brand praised those groups for already seeking ways to provide housing relief for hurricane victims, including the considerable role played by the NABC and its member coaches.

"The NABC is thrilled that the NCAA is taking a leadership role in the hurricane relief effort," said NABC Executive Director Jim Haney. "The NABC stands ready to support the NCAA in its endeavor with Habitat for Humanity and its efforts to assist many displaced Americans whose lives have been undeniably altered by this unprecedented natural disaster. We would expect that all other coaches associations would link arm-in-arm with the NCAA in a show of support as this important effort moves forward."

WBCA CEO Beth Bass credited the leadership of President Brand and the NCAA for developing the partnership.

"Our WBCA membership wholeheartedly supports the relief effort, and we know that Home Team will have an immediate impact," she said. "But we also know that the project means we will definitely be here for the long haul, which I think sends a powerful message that all parties involved are committed to this effort."

Division II contribution adds to existing efforts

The chair of the Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee says that group's relationship with the Make-A-Wish Foundation will not be affected by the Association's new relationship with Habitat for Humanity.

John Semeraro said he hopes that Division II student-athletes and institutions will support both initiatives enthusiastically.

"The commitment to contribute to the hurricane relief effort is another key example of the impact Division II institutions are having within their communities," said Semeraro, a recent graduate of Saint Leo University and now a graduate student at Ohio University. "Not only are Division II student-athletes assisting with hurricane relief, Division II continues to maintain a strong relationship with Make-A-Wish in our efforts to raise $100,000 in 2005-06."

He noted that the student-athletes and administrators participating in the recent Leadership Action Academy contributed $550 toward Make-A-Wish, the most ever from any leadership academy.

"We have shown the past two years how we can come together as a division and impact the lives of Make-A-Wish families," he said. "As we continue with our commitment to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, we regard the Home Team partnership as another way to assist individuals in need of our support.

"I thank all Division II institutions for their past support and future commitments to both Make-A-Wish and Home Team."