Sweat soaked through shirts. A loud symphony of clanging and banging filled the humid air. Eyes were focused. People worked together in harmony.
They weren't practicing or in the middle of a competition, but Tulane student-athletes came prepared for the challenge.
The NCAA and Tulane worked with Habitat for Humanity to assist in the construction of a new home in the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans, an area ravaged by hurricanes and flooding. The NCAA donated $150,000 for a two-bedroom home built 5 feet off the ground for protection against flooding and inclement weather.
Stemming from a $2.5 million commitment made in 2018, the partnership between the NCAA and Habitat for Humanity is built around long-term disaster response.
With hammers in hand, over 40 Tulane student-athletes and athletics staff members built and framed the exterior walls of the home during their day of volunteering Dec. 8.
Mia Hanes and Essie Clifton, student-athletes on the Tulane sailing team, share a laugh while building an exterior wall. (Photos by Cheryl Garber)
"When we first got here, it was a little daunting to see the bare bones of everything," said Essie Clifton, a 2022 national champion in sailing. "But when we raised that first wall and did it together, it was really a cool moment. I put those nails in there. I helped make something real and did something to help."
Cross country and track and field freshman Alex Sharp, like many of the student-athletes who volunteered, did not describe herself as handy but came away with an appreciation for the work.
"I knew manual labor like this was hard, but I don't think I fully recognized how hard it was," Sharp said. "Even simply hammering in a nail is a lot more complicated than most people think it is. That was a wake-up call."
Alex Sharp, freshman cross country and track and field student-athlete, puts down adhesive for the bottom of the exterior walls.
As a member of Tulane's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and passionate supporter of community engagement, Sharp appreciated the student-athletes uniting for such a worthy cause. The build atmosphere spoke volumes.
"It's really happy and joyful," Sharp said. "It inspires hope in a way. There's a sense of community and togetherness that's really special."
Student-athletes from women's basketball, women's tennis, golf, swimming and diving, sailing, track and field and cross country represented the Green Wave.
Hands and knees were left dusty and dirty as there was no trepidation from Tulane. It was a hands-on experience that left a lasting impression.
Josh Liddell, assistant director of student-athlete enhancement at Tulane, worked each of the three shifts at the Habitat for Humanity build.
"As a former student-athlete, you don't really realize the type of well-rounded experience you get from being a student-athlete until you are out of it," said Josh Liddell, assistant director of student-athlete enhancement and former football student-athlete at Arkansas. "I've noticed that as life goes, you pick up on all the little things you learned during your college experience.
"To see them have this experience, it's second to none. I have no doubt that something like this is going to stick with them for the rest of their lives."
As the event neared completion, Habitat's build team was impressed by the effort from the Tulane volunteers and encouraged with what was accomplished.
"Through volunteer support provided by Tulane student-athletes and funded through a very generous gift from the NCAA, a hardworking New Orleans family will now have a good, safe and secure place to call home," said Jay Huffstatler, chief advancement officer of New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity. "We are excited to be able to partner with the NCAA to bring the dream of homeownership for this partner family to reality."
This will be the first home that sign language interpreter Kataya Urquhart and her daughter, Odessa, have ever owned. Describing tough current living conditions, Urquhart shared her story and explained to the volunteers how much of an impact the student-athletes' work will have on her family's life.
"I wasn't sure what to expect when I showed up, but it's heartwarming. It's really nice," Urquhart said. "I'm definitely appreciating them and the help, and I'm excited to see what the end product ends up looking like."
The home is expected to be completed in late January or early February.
