Student-athletes End the Semester with Team Building

May 3, 2010

LAWRENCE, Kan– –

Habitat for Humanity SAAC Build Photo Gallery

KU student-athletes from the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) teamed up Saturday, May 1 to build a fence for a local family in north Lawrence.

The day started at 9 a.m. and the student-athletes were eager and ready to get the work done.

“This fence is for a woman that has a daycare,” Jordan Webb, freshman quarterback said. “The fence is going to be good for her because she can let the kids come outside and not have to worry about them.”

For some of the student-athletes, this was their first time working construction.

“I’ve never done anything like this, but we did all the nailing into the fences,” Nicole Chrisopulos, soccer player said. “We dug the holes and poured the concrete as well.”

“The ladies have done a lot with fence, particularly the nailing,” Jordyn Perdue, soccer player said. “We left the manly work up to the football guys.”

D.J. Beshears, sophomore cornerback, has worked with Habitat for Humanity before, building a house for a family last year.

“It feels good to help out the community because they come out to watch us play,” Beshears said. “I feel we should give a helping hand to the community because they support us. They will see us as good people instead of just student-athletes.”

Christi Posey, assistant volleyball coach, has also volunteered with Habitat for Humanity before, helping to construct a house two years ago with many of KU’s student-athletes.

“Some of the volleyball players came out earlier in the day and we just feel it is a very worthwhile project,” Posey said. “Helping the community raises our awareness that there are other people in the world that might need some help along the way.”

Mark Brooks, construction manager, who has been on the job for nine years with Habitat for Humanity, always looks forward to working with KU student-athletes.

“The student-athletes did wonderful,” Brooks said. “One of my favorite days is when the KU Athletics department comes out to help. They are all cheerful and happy kids that are always eager to help. We had a great time.”

With all the seriousness, there was some fun that was had as well. The football players challenged the volleyball team, as well as the soccer team, to a soccer game and a volleyball match.

“There was some friendly rivalry talk going on,” Posey said. “It would be fun to see the games actually take place.”

The build wrapped up around 3:30 p.m. on Saturday with a brand new fence for a family that truly needed it. The project gave a student-athletes the chance to give back to the Lawrence community as well as to connect with student-athletes from different teams.

“Doing something unique, that is outside of the court or the field, is always exciting. With the guidance from the people in charge it was a good experience,” Posey said.