Student-athletes in Pensacola for the NCAA Division II National Championships Festival supported the NCAA’s partnership with Habitat for Humanity.

During the Festival, more than 400 student-athletes helped build six Habitat for Humanity houses for Pensacola-area families affected by hurricanes.

The home-building project was part of the NCAA’s three-year, $2.5 million commitment to Habitat for Humanity International through the NCAA Home Team initiative. Division II’s leadership provided $1 million of that funding.

"We promote a well-rounded individual," said Jen Parsons, assistant volleyball coach at Ashland University who volunteered at the Pensacola build site November 17. "Experiences like this help student-athletes see beyond themselves and hopefully they will continue to do that after they graduate."

The six Pensacola Habitat homes were constructed in two locations: three on site in a Habitat development on Idlewood Street just outside the Pensacola city limits and three framed at Ashton Brosnaham Park. The frames were shipped to the Idlewood site for final construction in early 2007.

Sarah Jaquith, a senior on the Grand Valley State University cross country team, spent the morning of November 17 putting up roof trusses and plywood decking. "It’s neat to be able to do something in addition to competing and give something back as a student-athlete," Jaquith said.

"This partnership is incredibly important to Habitat for Humanity because of the many resources the NCAA offers," said Chris Clarke, senior vice president of Habitat for Humanity International. "The NCAA brings much-needed funding and volunteers to address the needs of families displaced by the hurricanes. They also reach out to America’s youth and encourage them to make a difference. Best of all, they will carry that message over the next two years," Clarke said.

Aside from special activities occurring in conjunction with NCAA championships, a recent NCAA survey of member colleges, universities and conferences found that 358 institutions reported total financial assistance of nearly $7.5 million for hurricane relief. And one-third of schools and conferences that responded indicated they plan to partner with Habitat for Humanity in the future.

To volunteer in your local area or to find out if your college has a campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity, go to www.habitat.org.