INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation has partnered with the Big Ten Conference to continue funding educational initiatives in the state of Indiana. Through this activation in conjunction with Extra Yard for Teachers, the CFP Foundation and Big Ten will be recognizing teachers at the 2019 Big Ten Football Championship Game presented by Discover on December 7 in Indianapolis. The funding provided will enhance educational efforts in those teachers’ respective classrooms and schools.
“The CFP Foundation is very happy to continue our partnership with the Big Ten Conference to honor and recognize Indiana teachers,” said CFP Foundation Executive Director Britton Banowsky. “Teachers nationwide make such a difference in their students’ lives. We thank all of them and congratulate the ones who will be recognized at the Big Ten Football Championship Game.”
The Big Ten worked with Indiana Sports Corp to select 15 teachers, with the goal of recognizing 15 different schools in the state of Indiana. Each of the teachers (kindergarten through eighth grade) will be awarded a grant to assist them with educational projects. The 15 teachers will attend and be recognized at the Big Ten Football Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium.
“The Big Ten Conference is thrilled to extend its partnership with the CFP Foundation and Extra Yard for Teachers to build on the great work that has been accomplished over the past few seasons,” Big Ten Commissioner James E. Delany said. “We are proud that through four years, this partnership has recognized 55 teachers in the state of Indiana, and the positive impact they have had on the youth in their communities. I would like to congratulate the 15 individuals selected for this year’s honor and thank them for their continued dedication to the educational development of the children in this state.”
“Indiana Sports Corp is proud to partner with the Big Ten Conference and College Football Playoff Foundation to support Indiana teachers throughout the state,” said Indiana Sports Corp President Ryan Vaughn. “The selected teachers and schools have a tremendous impact on the lives of our youth and we are looking forward to honoring them on December 7 at the Big Ten Football Championship Game.”
The following 15 teachers will attend and be recognized at the Big Ten Football Championship Game:
| Teacher | School | Location |
| Greg Bardonner | Frank H. Wheeler Elementary School | Speedway |
| Andrew Bartolacci | George Julian School 57 | Indianapolis |
| Craig Brinkman | Willow Lake Elementary School | Indianapolis |
| Amanda Colbert | Mary Bryan Elementary School | Indianapolis |
| Leigh Evans | Clark-Pleasant Middle School | Greenwood |
| Kristin Gladish | Harrison Hill School of Inquiry & Performing Arts | Indianapolis |
| Lindsay Guest | West Clay Elementary School | Carmel |
| Kristi Leser | South Knox Elementary School | Vincennes |
| Carrie Long | Westfield Middle School | Westfield |
| Megan Mathew | Hamilton Heights Middle School | Arcadia |
| Jennifer Simpson | Carlisle Elementary & Middle School | Carlisle |
| Nicholas Stultz | Promise Road Elementary School | Noblesville |
| Lucia Swick | James Russell Lowell School #51 | Indianapolis |
| Annette Thomas | Sand Creek Elementary School | Fishers |
| Lori Calhoun-Terry | New Augusta Public Academy South | Indianapolis |
The Big Ten and CFP Foundation plan to partner for upcoming activations in Chicago and New York City later in the academic year.
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About the College Football Playoff Foundation and Extra Yard for Teachers
The College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation is the community investment arm of the College Football Playoff, supporting education across the country. The CFP Foundation’s primary platform, Extra Yard for Teachers, elevates the teaching profession by inspiring and empowering teachers through the implementation of programs in four focus areas: resources, recognition, recruitment and professional development. The CFP Foundation utilizes multiple partnerships to execute its initiatives and support positive educational outcomes. To learn more, visit www.cfp-foundation.org and follow Extra Yard for Teachers (@CFPExtraYard) on social media.
About the Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is an association of world-class universities whose member institutions share a common mission of research, graduate, professional and undergraduate teaching and public service. Founded in 1896, the Big Ten has sustained a comprehensive set of shared practices and policies that enforce the priority of academics in the lives of students competing in intercollegiate athletics and emphasize the values of integrity, fairness and competitiveness. The broad-based programs of the 14 Big Ten institutions will provide over $200 million in direct financial support to more than 9,800 students for more than 11,000 participation opportunities on 350 teams in 42 different sports. The Big Ten sponsors 28 official conference sports, 14 for men and 14 for women, including the addition of men’s ice hockey and men’s and women’s lacrosse since 2013. For more information, visit www.bigten.org.
About Indiana Sports Corp
Founded in 1979 as the nation’s first sports commission, Indiana Sports Corp is a not-for-profit organization focused on bringing premier sporting events to Indiana to drive economic vitality, facilitate a vibrant community with civic pride and garner positive media attention. Because of this, Indiana Sports Corp is able to provide positive, sports-related opportunities for youth in the community. For more information, please visit IndianaSportsCorp.org.
