Notre Dame's "Fight for the Tide" Works With Project Team Up

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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - University of Notre Dame administrators and student-athletes are visiting Tuscaloosa this week to help aid in tornado relief efforts.

The 24 students and six administrators, who are currently on their university's fall break, elected to travel to Tuscaloosa to participate in a service trip they call "Fight for Tide." They will be working in collaboration with Project Team Up, a redevelopment and re-visioning initiative in partnership with Nick's Kids and Coach Nick and Terry Saban.

Project Team Up's stated goal is to lead the way in the redevelopment of some of Alabama's hardest hit communities in the aftermath of the April 2011 tornadoes.

"After the April 27 tornado, one of our contacts in Alabama called and asked if we would be willing to gather clothes and supplies to send to Tuscaloosa," says Sarah Smith, program coordinator for Notre Dame's student welfare department. "Many student athletes and staff from the athletic department then came up with the idea to travel to Tuscaloosa as another way to help and show our support

The students and faculty will be working this week in the Alberta City area and are responsible for clearing debris so that new residential houses may be built.

The Notre Dame students and faculty are also getting the chance to meet with many UA student athletes and administrators. Athletic Director Mal Moore met with the group and welcomed them to the University's campus this past Sunday.

In addition, head softball coach Patrick Murphy and many members of the softball team had dinner with the group on Monday and showed them around Bryant Denny Stadium and Rhoads Stadium. The softball team will also be volunteering with the Notre Dame students and faculty on Thursday.

"Coach Murphy and the softball team were great and we really enjoyed having the chance to meet Mal Moore," says Smith.

Jill Lancaster, director of UA's athletic life skills and community outreach department, says that the Notre Dame students and faculty will attend dinner on Thursday with the University's Student Athletic Advisory Committee and will have the opportunity to tour of Sewell-Thomas Stadium and the baseball facilities as part of their visit to the campus.

For more information on volunteer opportunities within the Tuscaloosa community, please visit http://www.projectteamup.com/.


Read more: http://aol.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/story/2011-09-09/football-plays-vital-role-in-tuscaloosas-healing-from-tornado#ixzz1YS6e3G7f