Tragedy brings both despair and hope. When faced with adversity, some of us tend to be critical of our condition while others become creative. Those elements of hope and creativity brought together two seemingly disparate nonprofit organizations: the NCAA and Habitat for Humanity International. From this bond, “NCAA Home Team” was created.

Shortly after the NCAA relocated its headquarters to Indianapolis in 1999, the staff began establishing relationships with the local Habitat for Humanity affiliate. But the devastation of the 2005 hurricanes in the Gulf Coast provided the impetus for more far-reaching action. The NCAA convened a conference call with Habitat representatives to explore how we might partner to assist those in need of affordable housing in the affected areas. The organization offered $1.5 million, with a $1 million lead gift from Division II, and the NCAA Executive Committee approved an additional $1 million in January.

During our initial discussions it became obvious how much our organizations had in common: similar missions and visions; organizational structures with members (NCAA) and affiliates (Habitat); international recognition; new and vibrant leadership. We even had similar ways of talking and visualizing (at least after some quick acronym level-setting).  

The newly formed partnership team began working quickly to flesh out a strategic path. We knew we wanted to make a meaningful impact on society; engage members and volunteers in powerful ways; be visible in a positive and encouraging way for our respective organizations; and, finally, to demonstrate good stewardship. Our focus was on creating opportunities for student-athletes and educators from NCAA member institutions to be involved in helping Habitat with its mission of eliminating substandard housing.

We knew the task would be even more daunting in the storm-damaged regions of the country within which the NCAA wanted to build, so we began by focusing our efforts through Habitat’s newly formed hurricane response and building program named “Operation Home Delivery.” The initial approach was to frame houses in various parts of the country unaffected by the storms, pack them into containers, and then ship them to the storm-ravaged areas for completion as conditions allowed.

Our team developed action plans to begin fund disbursement and build activities. The first event was the Division I-AA Football Championship game in Chattanooga, Tennessee. We framed a house in less than a day in the warehouse of the Chattanooga affiliate. A cold rain could not dampen the spirits of the teams and fans from the University of Northern Iowa and Appalachian State University as they visited and hammered during the build day. A number of city officials and dignitaries, including head football coach Phil Fulmer of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, joined the festivities. It was a great kickoff to the partnership.

We are now looking ahead to the NCAA Division II swimming championships and the Men’s Final Four in Indianapolis, during which we will frame houses for the Gulf and build a permanent one for the host city. Plans also are being made to maximize exposure at many of the NCAA’s 88 national championship sites scheduled this year. We genuinely hope that our work together will yield a legacy for others to follow.

I am honored to be part of this collaborative effort in which we “celebrate the student-athlete” and reduce suffering. We know that many of the young women and men in NCAA schools have been personally affected in some measure by these storms. By working together in this effort we can create a model in which we serve them and others through our example and our shared values. On behalf of the Habitat family, I wish to thank the NCAA for its gifts and its shining example to others.

We will win this one for the “home team.”

Doug Harper is the regional development director for corporate programs with Habitat for Humanity International.