SEC ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR DISTRIBUTION OF GRANT FUNDS IN SUPPORT OF TEACHERS IN CONJUCTION WITH THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF FOUNDATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 19, 2023

SEC ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR DISTRIBUTION OF GRANT FUNDS IN SUPPORT

OF TEACHERS IN CONJUCTION WITH THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF FOUNDATION

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Sept. 19, 2023) – The Southeastern Conference announced Tuesday its plans for distributing grant funds this season to support teachers in conjunction with the College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation through its Extra Yard for Teachers (EYFT) platform. Tuesday’s announcement is being made as part of the CFP Foundation’s Big Day for Teachers – a day where the college football community comes together to celebrate and honor teachers.

The SEC worked with its 14 institutions to identify a student-athlete whose life has been greatly impacted by a teacher. Each of the teachers was honored through the student-athlete's testimonial featured on SEC This Morning and the Paul Finebaum Show. The student-athlete video tributes will also be featured on the SEC social media channels.

As part of the CFP Foundation’s Big Day for Teachers initiative, the SEC will present each of the 14 teachers with a $1,000 DonorChoose gift card.

The CFP Foundation is the largest sports entity in America that supports education. Its nationwide Extra Yard for Teachers platform has collectively invested $57 million in support of education. The CFP Foundation Extra Yard for Teachers platform supports and uplifts teachers by focusing on four major areas: recognition, resources, professional development and recruitment and retention. Since its inception, the CFP Foundation has supported nearly 500,000 teachers nationwide, creating a positive impact for more than 9.2 million students and 50,000 schools. 

The Big Day for Teachers is part of Extra Yard for Teachers Week (September 15-23, 2023). Created in 2015 as a national celebration of teachers, EYFT Week is supported by the CFP Foundation and its college football partners. The foundation works in close partnership with the schools, conferences, bowls, ESPN, and education supporters across the country to honor and recognize the meaningful work of teachers for the entire week.

“Our partnership with the SEC has been simply outstanding in our efforts to support teachers and celebrate their important roles with our children,” said CFP Foundation Executive Director Britton Banowsky. “We couldn’t have the nationwide reach we have without our wonderful partners throughout the country. Extra Yard for Teachers Week and the Big Day are incredible efforts when we all come together for teachers who make a real difference. We are so thankful to the SEC and the positive impact it is making for educators.”

Following is a list of those teachers identified by 14 different SEC student-athletes who greatly impacted his or her life. Each educator will be honored as part of the CFP Foundation’s Extra Yard for Teachers program.

For more information about the CFP Foundation, visit cfp-foundation.org

About the College Football Playoff Foundation

The College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation is the 501(c)3 non-profit organization serving as the community engagement arm of the College Football Playoff and works in partnership with institutions of higher education, sports organizations, corporations and non-profits to support educators and improve student outcomes. The purpose of the CFP Foundation lies in supporting PK-12 education by elevating the teaching profession. The CFP Foundation inspires and empowers educators by focusing its work in four areas: recognition, resources, recruitment and retention, and professional development. To learn more, visit cfp-foundation.org and follow Extra Yard for Teachers (@CFPExtraYard) on social media.

About the Southeastern Conference (SEC)
The Southeastern Conference was formed in 1932 and consists of 14 member institutions: Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Missouri, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Vanderbilt. The league currently sanctions championship play in nine men's sports and 12 women's sports. Its headquarters has been located in Birmingham, Ala., since 1948. For more on the conference, please visit SECSports.com.

About SEC Network
A dedicated channel developed by ESPN and the Southeastern Conference to serve fans of one of the nation's most elite conferences - the SEC. The network airs SEC content 24/7, including 45 SEC football games, 100 men's basketball games, 60 women's basketball games, 125 softball and baseball games and additional regular season and Championship events from the SEC's 21 annual sports. Programming also includes studio shows such as SEC Nation, SEC Now and The Paul Finebaum Show, and original content such as SEC Storied, Rally Cap, TrueSouth, Out of Pocket and more.