PENSACOLA, Fla. ń Dr. Chuck Ambrose, Pfeiffer University president and current chairman of the NCAA Division II Presidents Council, worked alongside approximately 400 NCAA Division II student-athletes, coaches, team staff and NCAA officials in Pensacola, Fla., last year to construct six Habitat for Humanity houses following the destruction left in that area by several hurricanes.
On Monday, those houses were dedicated to six families during a special ceremony.
Over a three-day period during the 2006 Division II Fall Championships Festival held last November, volunteers worked to complete the exteriors for three homes on their slab foundations at the intersection of Idlewood Drive and Larkfield Circle, and framed another three homes at Brosnaham Park, one of the championship venues. Those house frames were later moved to their permanent locations for completion.
Ambrose joined others Monday just outside of Pensacola to dedicate those homes built for six deserving families displaced by hurricane destruction. As a sponsor of the homes, the NCAA was invited to participate in the July 30 dedication as a tribute to the student-athletes who played such a vital role in the construction.
Ambrose joined NCAA President Myles Brand and Habitat International’s Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Reckford to honor the recipient families and volunteers during the dedication.
“The Home Team,” a new partnership between the NCAA and Habitat for Humanity International, raised funds and provided volunteer labor to assist in the long-term rebuilding efforts in the Gulf Coast areas. The partnership provided a $1 million lead gift from NCAA Division II, a matching gift of $500,000 from the NCAA national office, plus additional voluntary donations that were collected at all 88 NCAA national championships.
Since the devastation caused by several hurricanes that ravaged Mississippi, Louisiana and Florida in 2005, numerous Pfeiffer student groups, including the university’s choirs and jazz ensemble, spent dozens of service hours in those regions helping to support, clean-up and rebuild churches, houses and communities.
“In the wake of the destructive hurricane season of 2005, Pfeiffer was immediate to respond to the needs. Our students, faculty and staff not only helped to rebuild dwellings, but also hearts and souls through ministry and music,” said Ambrose. “Even now, nearly two years following a harsh and damaging hurricane season, there is still much to do in the Gulf and Emerald Coast areas. Seeing our Division II student-athletes from all over the country come together as one dynamic team to meet the ongoing needs and to construct these six houses for families left displaced following the storms, is a tremendous testament to our student-athletes and their dedication to service off the playing fields.”