IRVING, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Big 12 Conference, in partnership with the College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation’s Extra Yard for Teachers (EYFT) platform, has announced a campaign to honor educators across the country. More than 100 student-athletes featured in the “Big 12 Champions for Life” campaign have been given the opportunity to recognize a teacher (grades K-12) who made a lasting impact during their academic journey. Each teacher will receive a $1,000 grant to be applied toward a classroom project and teaching supplies.
The partnership between the two organizations underscores the critical link teachers play in the education system and in the lives of student-athletes. EYFT, the primary platform of the CFP Foundation, elevates the teaching profession by inspiring and empowering quality teachers. “Big 12 Champions for Life” showcases the success stories of student-athletes and how athletic scholarships have positively changed their lives.
“One of our goals with this initiative is to tell the often-overlooked stories of our student-athletes,” said Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby. “A huge part of these stories are the teachers and coaches who have helped our student-athletes grow as individuals and have left a lasting, positive impact.”
“There is no mission more important than the education of our youth,” commented University of Oklahoma President and Big 12 Conference Board of Directors Chairman David Boren. “With the budget cuts to education being made at the state and federal levels, it is imperative we provide resources that contribute to the classroom success of our educators.”
The Big 12 Conference and the CFP Foundation held a press conference today to announce details of the partnership. The event, attended by five Dallas-Fort Worth area teachers, included: Toni Cerda, nominated by Texas Tech University track and field athlete Viershanie Latham; Alexandra Gandy, nominated by University of Oklahoma volleyball player Lauren English; Pamela Grow, nominated by University of Texas swimmer Will Licon; Pam Luster, nominated by University of Texas football player Tyrone Swoopes; and Amy Croft, nominated by TCU basketball player Brandon Parrish. The teachers received their grants from Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby, Big 12 Board of Directors Chairman and University of Oklahoma President David Boren and CFP Executive Director Bill Hancock.
“We are proud to recognize these teachers who have made a difference in the lives of their students,” said CFP Executive Director Bill Hancock. “We hope these grants will provide resources these teachers need to continue their outstanding educational success, while acknowledging the importance of quality teachers in our country.”
About the Big 12 Conference
The Big 12 Conference is comprised of 10 Universities - Baylor, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, TCU, Texas, Texas Tech and West Virginia. The Big 12 is an NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics conference that encompasses five states with over 38 million people within its geographic footprint. In its 21st year, the Conference has produced over 600 Academic All-America selections and claimed national championship team titles in 17 of its 23 sponsored sports. Its student-athletes and teams have combined for 630 individual NCAA titles and 56 team national championships. Nearly 5,000 student-athletes from across the United States and around the World compete annually under the Big 12 banner. For more information, visit Big12Sports.com and follow the Conference on Facebook (Facebook.com/Big12) and Twitter (@Big12Conference).
About the College Football Playoff Foundation and Extra Yard for Teachers
The College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation is the charitable arm of the College Football Playoff and supports education and teachers across the country. The CFP Foundation creates multiple partnerships to execute its initiatives and support positive educational outcomes. The Foundation’s primary philanthropic initiative, Extra Yard for Teachers (EYFT), elevates the teaching profession by inspiring and empowering quality teachers through the development and implementation of programs in three key focus areas: direct provision of resources, teacher recognition, and professional development training. For more information, visit www.cfp-foundation.org and follow the Extra Yard for Teachers platform on Facebook (Facebook.com/CFPExtraYard), Twitter (@CFPExtraYard) and Instagram (@CFPExtraYard).