NCAA Men's College World Series 2008 - NCAA Joins Habitat for Humanity to Build Home in Omaha During Men's College World Series

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NCAA Joins Habitat for Humanity to Build Home in Omaha During Men's College World Series

INDIANAPOLIS – As part of the NCAA’s Home Team partnership with Habitat for Humanity® International, approximately 30 volunteers will frame the interior and exterior walls of a Habitat “House in a Box” on Friday (June 23) at the Durham Western Heritage Museum in Omaha during the Men’s College World Series. The house frame will then be shipped to Thibodaux, Louisiana, where it will be fully constructed for a Habitat family displaced by last year’s hurricanes.

“June in Omaha means the Men’s College World Series and while this June is no exception, this weekend is about more than just baseball games – it is about making a change in the lives of those who need our help,” said Dennie Poppe, NCAA Managing Director of Football and Baseball. “By partnering with Habitat for Humanity®, we are able to frame a house that will help a family who was directly affected by the hurricanes last fall.”

A brother and sister duo that relocated to Omaha from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina will be available during the build on Friday to speak with media about their experience with Habitat. Darlene Anderson and Brian Wickem will begin construction on their Habitat for Humanity home in Omaha this month. In addition, the two teams that will vie for the Men’s College World Series Championship title may make an appearance during the Habitat House in a Box build.

“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,” said NCAA President Myles Brand. “The NCAA is lending its national support to the long-term hurricane relief effort through this important partnership with Habitat for Humanity® International.”

The College World Series build project is the latest development in the three-year “Home Team” partnership between Habitat for Humanity® and the NCAA. The partnership began in September 2005 with a $1 million lead gift from Division II and a $500,000 matching gift from the Association and the national office. In January, the Association leadership pledged an additional $1 million for a total of $2.5 million. The partnership will provide additional donations through continued fundraising and volunteers for the long-term rebuilding effort on the Gulf Coast following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

“This partnership is incredibly important to Habitat for Humanity® because of the many resources the NCAA offers,” said Jonathan Reckford, chief executive officer for 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, the NCAA will carry this message over the next three years,” Reckford said.

There have been NCAA Home Team build sites at several NCAA championships, including the 2006 Men’s Final Four (Indianapolis), the 2005 Division I-AA Football Championship (Chattanooga), the 2006 Division II Men’s and Women’s Swimming Championships (Indianapolis), and a build in Knoxville, Tennessee, in April in conjunction with the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Induction weekend. Plans are being developed for several future Habitat builds in conjunction with future NCAA championships and the annual NCAA Convention, to be held in January 2007 in Orlando, Florida.

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 360,000 student-athletes at more than 1,000 member colleges and universities. Each year, more than 49,000 student-athletes compete in NCAA championships in Divisions I, II and III sports. For more information, visit www.ncaa.org.

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 Americus, Ga., in 1976, Habitat has built more than 200,000 houses in nearly 100 countries, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than one million people. For more information, visit www.habitat.org.