OBU Athletes to Build Homes

September 13, 2001

Oklahoma Baptist University athletes will begin work on constructing a home for Habitat for Humanity later this month in a show of support for the Shawnee community and for the NAIA's Champions of Character initiative.

Seven OBU teams will spend seven Saturdays, beginning Sept. 22, building a home in the Shawnee area.

"We wanted to do something that would benefit the community and Habitat for Humanity is a great organization," said Dr. Bobby Kelly, OBU assistant professor of religion and leader of OBU's version of the Champions of Character effort. "We'll be helping to build a home for a family and the kids have really gotten excited about it."

The Lady Bison softball team will begin the work with a 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. shift on Saturday, Sept. 22. The men's basketball team will work Sept. 29; the track teams on Oct. 6; women's basketball on Oct. 13; the cheerleaders and golf teams on Oct. 20, the baseball team Nov. 3; and the tennis teams and student trainers on Nov. 17th.

"Twelve members from each team will work 9-to-3 shifts on each of those Saturdays," said Dr. Norris Russell, director of athletics. "We're very excited about doing this."

The NAIA "Champions of Character" initiative is designed to create an environment in which every NAIA student-athlete, coach, official and spectator is committed to the true spirit of competition through respect, integrity, responsibility, servant leadership, and sportsmanship.