TAMPA, Fla. (September 20, 2016) — Teachers are taking their place in the spotlight during Extra Yard for Teachers Week, September 17-24. The nationwide initiative is presented by the College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation, and is being celebrated locally by the Tampa Bay Sports Commission. Extra Yard for Teachers, the primary philanthropic initiative of the CFP Foundation focuses on honoring, empowering and celebrating teachers. Additionally, it aims to inspire a college-going culture by providing both funding and resources to help address the needs in K-12 education.
“The College Football Playoff, its conference and media partners are deeply committed to the goals of the Extra Yard for Teachers program,” said Britton Banowsky, Executive Director of the CFP Foundation. “Teachers are heroes and impact the future. Leveraging our relationships to secure funding for classroom projects which help teachers is important and we laud the efforts in Tampa to help their area teachers.”
Among the acknowledgments during Extra Yard for Teachers Week, students from around the country have created “Thank-A-Teacher” videos. As part of this effort, University of South Florida football players will share letters with those professors who have made a difference in their lives. BullsVision, the official online source for all USF Bulls Athletics, will be following each player as they deliver a handwritten letter and green apple to these teachers.
On Thursday, September 22, Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco County school superintendents will join a select group of teachers at the Hilton Tampa Downtown for the Countdown to the Championship Luncheon presented by Northwestern Mutual. The event program will be packed with Extra Yard for Teachers highlights including an overview of how the initiative will impact educational initiatives in the Tampa Bay area, an unveiling of the Helios Education Foundation partnership and more.
During college football games, players from all over the country will wear Extra Yard for Teachers helmet decals, and will feature in-game elements celebrating Extra Yard for Teachers Week. Locally, we will see several nods to teachers throughout the Saturday, September 24 game between the South Florida Bulls and the Florida State Seminoles at Raymond James Stadium. A group of approximately 30 teachers representing Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco County schools will attend the game as guests of the University of South Florida, and will be recognized on the field during the festivities. The well-deserved recognition is a testament to each teacher’s efforts and impact in our local community.
“Behind every successful student, you will find a teacher that has impacted their lives and inspired them to reach the next academic level,” said Rob Higgins, Executive Director of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission. “Extra Yard for Teachers Week will shine a deserving spotlight on teachers that have influenced the lives of students and will recognize those that have encouraged students to reach for academic and athletic goals.”
Information, including a complete event schedule, for 2017 Championship Campus events can be found at TampaBay2017.com. Fans can also stay on top of the latest news and events by subscribing to Touchdown Tampa Bay the official e-newsletter of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission.
