Iowa women’s athletic teams partner with Habitat for Humanity to build affordable homes

IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) - University of Iowa women’s athletes are trading their uniforms for hard hats to help build homes for local families.

The Iowa women’s gymnastics, softball, and tennis teams are partnering with Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity to build affordable housing for two families with school-age children.

Habitat for Humanity requires families to help construct their home for 250 hours on top of attending home repair classes.

The full team build schedule is as follows:

• Women’s Gymnastics Team: Oct. 29
  • 9 a.m. to noon at Women Build home, 708 9th Avenue, Coralville.
• Women’s Softball Team: Oct. 31
  • 1 to 5 p.m. at Women Build home, 708 9th Avenue, Coralville.
• Women’s Tennis Team: Nov. 1
  • 1 to 5 p.m. at Aiden Build home, 628 Aiden Street, Iowa City.

Christy Shipley, IVHFH Construction Manager, expressed that the student-athletes bring valuable energy to construction sites.

“The energy these teams bring to the job site is contagious. They come ready to learn, ready to work, and ready to make an impact. You can tell they’re used to teamwork—they jump right in and lift each other up," Shipley said.

The women’s basketball team and Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity have previously worked together on building homes since 2013.

The partnership demonstrates how both organizations strive to build a stronger community, not just homes.