Marquette University Athletics
#MUBB Provides Life-Changing Support For Family In Need
8/30/2026 12:22:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Golden Eagles teamed up with MCCY to renovate home in Milwaukee area
Earlier in the summer, the Marquette Golden Eagles partnered with the Milwaukee Center for Children and Youth to provide life-changing support to a select family.Â
With help from MCCYÂ executive director and co-founder Michele Wink and team nutritionist Kristin Kipp, the team adopted the family and completely renovated their apartment, turning the living space into a home.Â
Kipp had done several renovation and restoration projects in the past. She was inspired by Humble Design, a Detroit-based group that, according to its website, provides renovated housing to people transitioning out of homelessness.
"[My friend and I] talked with the woman who created [Humble Design], and we just started doing it," Kipp said.Â
After some time away following several projects and some renovation experience now under her belt, Kipp's well-oiled home-improvement machine rolled into Shaka Smart's office at the end of March, looking to get the team involved on a new project. He was all for it.Â
With help from program members Alexis Peterson, Tabby Kangas and Orianna Shillow, as well as program managers, Kipp worked closely with the family from the first meeting in April to the reveal day in June. They initially took pictures and videos of the space and recorded measurements within the home. Then the team coordinated donation opportunities from program members and their connections, who filled an Amazon wish list and provided furniture. Kipp also restored other pieces of furniture. All their efforts culminated in transforming the four walls and roof into a sanctuary.Â
"We asked her about her style, how she needed the home to function for her," Kipp said. "It's really important to me when I do these projects to give somebody a place that they love and that it's not just a bunch of stuff thrown together."
The crew of Kipp, Peterson, Kangas and Shillow loaded up a rental truck the night before the big day and arrived at the house early the next morning to start the makeover. The team was put to work on the reveal day, making a Target run prior to arriving at the home, then moving couches and chairs and helping arrange the rooms and the kitchen, finding space for pots, pans and décor.Â
When the family came home, the mother was speechless, and her young son was overjoyed with his redesigned room. Wink said that the moment was hard to put into words.
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"It's hard to quantify because it's a gift that very few people actually get," Wink said. "I think what was really special about it from my perspective was that it was done with such humility."
The family's reaction to their transformed space showed junior forward Caedin Hamilton how the team's generosity made a lasting impact.Â
"They really needed this, and seeing how grateful they were is what impacted me," Hamilton said. "This is what it's all about. I would love to do this again; it has inspired me to continue caring for people who are struggling."
Hamilton was one of several players to donate toward the project.Â
Wink said the team also spent time with the family when they arrived at their completed home.Â
"The guys were very friendly, warm and accessible [with the family]," Wink said. "It's not like they are just basketball players; they're also part of families, too. That was special, to see young men taking part in these domestic tasks to help another family."
Sophomore guard Nigel James Jr. said his experience with the family helped him see that what the program teaches goes well beyond the game of basketball.
"I am thankful to be in the position I am," James Jr. said. "Just to be able to help people and see them smile, because that is what puts a smile on my face. RGV has resonated with me really well as it's a way I live my life."
