Sun Belt Conference, CFP Foundation connect on Extra Yard for teachers initiative

Published 8:21 am Wednesday, September 15, 2021

The Sun Belt Conference will once again join the College Football Playoff (CFP) in recognizing teachers via the Extra Yard for Teachers initiative throughout the 2021 football season.

Each of the Sun Belt’s 10 football-playing institutions is receiving a $6,000 grant from the CFP Foundation to elevate the teaching profession by inspiring and empowering teachers through the implementation of the program’s four focus areas: resources, recognition, recruitment and professional development.

Additionally, the 10 Sun Belt football programs will honor teachers at a designated Extra Yard for Teachers game on their respective campuses—primarily during Extra Yard for Teachers Week (Sept. 10-18, 2021).

“There is no more impactful profession than that of being a teacher,” said Sun Belt Conference Commissioner Keith Gill. “We are pleased to join the CFP and our 10 football-playing institutions again this year in recognizing and empowering teachers across our conference footprint.”

Initiated in 2015, Extra Yard for Teachers Week is a nationwide celebration of teachers, led by the CFP Foundation. During Extra Yard for Teachers Week, universities, conferences and ESPN come together to celebrate and recognize teachers, while building awareness of the growing Extra Yard for Teachers initiative.

The Sun Belt Conference will also promote the Extra Yard for Teachers initiative during the 2021 Sun Belt Football Championship Game, which is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 4, on ESPN.

App State | November 13 vs. South Alabama
Recognizing the Watauga County Teachers of the Year & Principal of the Year.

Arkansas State | September 11 vs. Memphis
Supporting Craighead County’s eight K-12 school districts.

Coastal Carolina | September 25 vs. UMass
Honoring the Horry County Schools Rookie Teacher of the Year.

Georgia Southern | September 25 vs. Louisiana
Providing classroom project grants to teachers in Bulloch, Liberty & Chatham counties.

Georgia State | September 18 vs. Charlotte
Offering professional development activities to teachers at New Manchester High School.

Louisiana | September 16 vs. Ohio
Recognizing three schools in the Acadiana region whose teachers have gone the extra yard in creating a world-class environment.

ULM | September 25 vs. Troy
Creating a STEAM Lab (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Mathematics) at Swartz Lower Elementary.

South Alabama | September 18 vs. Alcorn State
Offering classroom project grants to teachers in Mobile County.

Texas State | September 18 vs. Incarnate Word
Funding the “Community Connections Corner” that provides food and toiletries to underprivileged students in the local community.

Troy | September 4 vs. Southern
Providing school supplies to teachers throughout Pike County.