USC OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE

Student Athlete Advisory Council has organized several projects with Habitat for Humanity for the Los Angeles area.

Oct. 3, 2008

Throughout the 2008-09 school year, student-athletes from all 19 teams at USC will be visiting the city of Lynwood, Calif., to help in the construction of a Habitat for Humanity house. USC's Student Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) has become involved with Habitat for Humanity through the Habitat for Youth Initiative and has presented a check for over $20,000 along with a commitment from all USC's student-athletes to assist in the completion of the building of a three-family residence.

"We knew it was the kind of project where we could apply all of the work ethic and competitive spirit that we are ingrained with as athletes here at USC, and this way we could apply it to something outside our sport to help other people," SAAC president and men's volleyball co-captain Jon Hackett said. "This being a project in the Los Angeles area, it's always nice to give back to the people in our community who are supporting us while we're on the court."

On September 6 and 20, four groups of student-athletes from 11 different USC teams participated in the first two build dates for Habitat for Humanity. Both days proved to be a wonderful opportunity for USC student-athletes to apply all of their commitment and hard work to a cause outside of their respective sports.

"We spent the entire morning digging a gigantic trench!" men's volleyball player Steve Shandrick said. "It was very rewarding to work side-by-side with the family who would eventually move into the house."

"This was such a great way for our team to work together to help this family," women's basketball player Hailey Dunham said. "We are all happy we could help them get one step closer to having their own house."

SAAC has arranged for multiple build dates throughout the fall and spring semesters, providing an opportunity for more USC student-athletes from other teams to get involved with the rewarding Habitat for Humanity experience. SAAC consists of two representatives from each varsity team in the Athletic Department, and acts as the primary liaison between the student-athletes, athletic administration, and the NCAA. This year's SAAC president at USC is Jon Hackett, assisted by vice president Kristi Rigterink of the Trojan swimming and diving team.