NCAA Student-Athletes, Local Volunteers, Lowe’s Join Habitat for Humanity for Division I Women’s Basketball Championship Build

Wednesday, March 19, 2008, BATON ROUGE, La. -- During the first- and second- rounds of the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship, the NCAA, Lowe’s, Habitat for Humanity International and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge will team up to build a home in partnership with a hard-working, low-income family that was displaced by Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita.

Louisiana State University student-athletes, local community and Lowe’s volunteers will construct a Habitat for Humanity house frame on Saturday, March 22 at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, La. The build will take place near the university’s track and field complex.

The frame of the home will be left on display until the final day of the first- and second-rounds on Tuesday, March 25. The home will be moved to a permanent site within the community and be completed at a later time by local volunteers.

The Baton Rouge project is the latest in the NCAA Home Team partnership with Habitat for Humanity International, which began in 2005 after hurricanes struck the Gulf Coast. The NCAA has committed $2.5 million for the three-year partnership.

The NCAA is funding the entire cost of the house, which is approximately $65,000. The build is also sponsored by Lowe’s, one of the NCAA’s corporate partners and a corporate supporter of Habitat, which contributed an additional $10,000 to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge for future projects.

“This build combines Lowe’s ongoing commitment to Habitat for Humanity International and the successful relationship we’ve forged with NCAA to help a Baton Rouge family,” said Larry D. Stone, chairman, Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation. “We’re proud to work with the student athletes and local residents to help a family realize its dream of home ownership.”

In addition, this build will be a part of Habitat for Humanity’s Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project. The Carter Project will match NCAA’s funding to provide the entire cost of a second house which will be built at a later date by local volunteers.

“Our women’s basketball community is pleased to have the opportunity to leave a footprint and legacy behind in Baton Rouge,” said Sue Donohoe, vice president for Division I women's basketball at NCAA. “This is a meaningful project for all those involved and we hope by our involvement, we will make a difference in the lives of a family in the city that is serving as our host.”

Since the relationship between NCAA and Habitat began, more than 1,000 student-athletes and other volunteers have helped build more than 25 homes in partnership with needy families. In 2006, the NCAA, Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame partnered to construct the “Gunter House,” built and dedicated to the late Sue Gunter, former Louisiana State University women’s basketball coach. The house was built in conjunction with the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame induction weekend and was provided to a family in Baton Rouge, La.

“This partnership is incredibly important to Habitat for Humanity because of the many resources the NCAA offers,” said Ann Schiffman, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge. “The NCAA brings much needed funding and volunteers to aid families in need of housing. They also have a unique reach to America’s youth that encourages them to make a difference in their communities.”

One of the unique features of the Habitat for Humanity program is that while homeowners purchase these homes at no profit, they must also complete “sweat equity” hours to be eligible, meaning that future homeowners will be working side-by-side with the student-athletes and other volunteers.

During the 2008 Women’s Final Four, the NCAA and Habitat for Humanity will again partner to conduct a Habitat for Humanity build. There will be a home built and provided to a family in the Tampa Bay area.

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 380,000 student-athletes at more than 1,200 member colleges and universities. Each year, more than 54,000 student-athletes compete in NCAA championships in Divisions I, II and III sports. Visit ncaa.org and 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—DiGiorno, Enterprise, The Hartford, Lowe’s and State Farm.

About Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge builds and renovates houses in partnership with the community. We provide opportunities for families in need to purchase their own homes and improve their lives. We build community by involving diverse religious, social and business groups in the construction of homes and neighborhoods. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge works in partnership with deserving, low-income families and the community to eliminate poverty housing. Habitat is not a handout but a “hand up.” Homes are sold to partner families at no profit and financed by Habitat with affordable, no-interest loans. The incomes of those selected fall within the range of 27% to 55% of median family income for the parish where they live. Since our formation as an affiliate, HFHGBR has built and renovated over 200 homes.

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 more than 250,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1 million people. For more information, visit habitat.org.

About Lowe's

Lowe’s is a proud supporter of Habitat for Humanity International, American Red Cross, United Way of America, and the Home Safety Council, in addition to numerous non-profit organizations and programs that help communities across the country. In 2007, Lowe’s and the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation together contributed more than $27.5 million to support community and education projects in the United States and Canada. Lowe’s also encourages volunteerism through the Lowe’s Heroes program, a company-wide employee volunteer initiative. Lowe’s is a FORTUNE® 50 company with fiscal year 2007 sales of $48.3 billion and has more than 1,525 stores in the United States and Canada. For more information, visit lowes.com/community.

Source: NCAA

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