Several ISU football players got a different kind of workout Saturday when they assisted Story County Habitat for Humanity.

The players worked with several community volunteers to build the newest Story County Habitat for Humanity home, 234 Dotson Dr.

Cyclone assistant coach John Skladany attends the United Church of Christ Congregation, which is a major sponsor of the project. He and head coach Dan McCarney thought it would be a good opportunity for the players to get involved with the community, said Anjeanette Perkins, executive director of Story County Habitat for Humanity.

According to the Story County Habitat for Humanity Web site, www.storyhabitat.org, “Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, … Christian housing ministry seeking to eliminate poverty housing and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.”

Members of the team worked Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., putting up roof trusses, sheeting and helping out in any way they could.

This is not the first time the football team has volunteered in the community, Skladany said.

“We try to volunteer during football season too,” quarterback Cris Love said. “We visit the hospital every week.”

ISU students have helped on almost every Habitat for Humanity home built in Story County, but this is the first time such a large number of athletes have banded together to work, veteran volunteer Jerry Chase said.

The players in attendance were eager to help, Skladany said.

“We thought it would be a fun project,” Love said.

Punter Troy Blankenship agreed.

“It’s a good way to give back to the community,” he said.

Players said many of the volunteers have had construction experience.

“I’ve done construction before, but I’ve never built a whole house,” tight end Brett Kellogg said.

Defensive back Steve Paris said he had painted houses before.

Imad Atroon, his wife Ibtisam Nurai and their five children have been helping build the house and will purchase the home, Perkins said.

The four bedroom, two bathroom house is due to be finished in mid-October, she said.

Atroon, native of Sudan, said he is very grateful to the volunteers.

“We work every weekend [on the house] and we’re glad that people come to help,” Atroon said. “We just couldn’t afford a house like this on our own.”

Saundra Grabau, the buyer of the next Habitat for Humanity home was also working at the construction site Saturday. Her house will be built in Gilbert, and is the Blitz Build House for Iowa State’s 2003 Homecoming, she said.

The Blitz Build is a construction project where ISU students pitch in to build a house in one week with Habitat for Humanity, Grabau said.

Skladany said he hopes the players and the recipients will benefit from this project.

“I hope the players see that taking some time to help others and make their lives better can be a good thing,” Skladany said.

Kellogg said he enjoyed helping another person.

“I think it’s cool,” Kellogg sad. “It’s something nice to do.”

Paris said he would be willing to help build houses again for Habitat for Humanity.

“If they want to do this again, I’ll be in line to help,” Paris said. “I enjoy doing it.”

The Cyclones’ help was greatly appreciated by everyone involved.

“We really appreciate the Cyclones helping in building this house. Skladany really helped to put a spotlight on [Habitat for Humanity],” site coordinator Allen Christy said. “They’re good workers.”