COLLEGE FOOTBALL GOES BIG TO CELEBRATE TEACHERS DURING ANNUAL EXTRA YARD FOR TEACHERS WEEK AND THE BIG DAY FOR TEACHERS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 24, 2024
CONTACT: Brett Daniels, 469-262-5200
COLLEGE FOOTBALL GOES BIG TO CELEBRATE TEACHERS DURING ANNUAL EXTRA YARD FOR TEACHERS WEEK AND THE BIG DAY FOR TEACHERS
Record-Number of Educators Honored in Teacher Recognition Activities Across the Country
IRVING, Texas – The 2024 edition of Extra Yard for Teachers (EYFT) Week, the annual nationwide celebration of educators created by the College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation, saw more than 5,000 teachers recognized by members of the college, nonprofit, and corporate community from coast to coast. It marked an all-time high for number of teachers who were uplifted through hundreds of partner activations.
Anchoring EYFT Week again was the fifth annual Big Day for Teachers on Tuesday, September 17 -- the largest single-day effort of community impact by the extended college football family, completely focused on educators. Thousands of dollars in DonorsChoose funds for classroom projects were distributed on the Big Day, including a new partnership between the CFP Foundation and Amazon Business that covered $200,000 of back-to-school projects for equity-focused schools. Project funding included technology, flexible seating, basic classroom supplies, books and educational games. Pop-Tarts also joined the effort, committing $50,000 in DonorsChoose funds to be distributed to teachers in the Orlando area in partnership with the Pop-Tarts Bowl. Amazon Business and Pop-Tarts joined existing CFP Foundation partners AT&T, Eckrich, Dr Pepper, Cheez-It, and School Specialty in making the day a success.
Posts on social media feeds went viral, as student-athletes of every college sport expressed gratitude to their former PK-12 teachers who inspired them. Other student-athletes were joined by college mascots, cheer teams, deans, coaches and bowl game representatives on school visits and surprises. And longtime supporter ESPN surprised teachers live on College GameDay and SEC Nation.
“We are so thankful for the generosity of so many amazing partners and everyone in the college football community who participated in Extra Yard for Teachers Week and the Big Day,” said Britton Banowsky, executive director of the CFP Foundation. “Together we were able to impact more teachers than we ever have, as this great tradition continues to grow. It’s a wonderful opportunity to recognize and celebrate educators across the country.”
Overall social media reach of Extra Yard for Teachers Week saw a 70% increase from last year with engagements in the millions.
Since its inception in 2014, the CFP Foundation and its EYFT platform has supported more than 550,000 teachers nationwide, creating a positive impact for more than 12 million students and 60,000 schools while collectively investing approximately $80 million in support of education nationwide.
#BigDayForTeachers • #CFPExtraYard • #ExtraYardWeek
About the College Football Playoff Foundation and Extra Yard for Teachers
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, professional development and recruitment and retention. To learn more, visit cfp-foundation.org and follow Extra Yard for Teachers (@CFPExtraYard) on social media.