IRVING, Texas – The College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation has partnered with the American Athletic Conference (AAC) in a season-long effort to benefit teachers as part of the Extra Yard for Teachers (EYFT) platform, which included funding classroom projects and recognizing educators.
 
The CFP Foundation has distributed $145,000 this fall to American Athletic Conference institutions to support, celebrate and positively impact schools, teachers, and students, including the funding of DonorsChoose.org projects across the footprint of the conference. The Foundation provided each member institution with $10,000 for on-campus recognition and DonorsChoose.org donations. The partnership also includes funding in connection with The American Football Championship in Orlando on December 1, 2018, as both UCF and Memphis will receive an additional $7,500 to better their communities.
 
In addition, $5,000 was utilized in coordination with a community service event during The American’s Football Media Days in July where student-athletes wrote personalized thank you notes to the teachers who had the biggest impact on their lives. Along with the thank you notes, each teacher has also received a DonorsChoose.org gift card on behalf of the conference and the CFP Foundation.
 
This marks the third year that the American Athletic Conference has taken part in Extra Yard for Teachers programming through DonorsChoose.org, funding a total of $400,000 directly to teachers in the communities of its member institutions. A total of 214 teachers were supported, while 160 schools and 26,791 students benefitted from the funding. 
 
“The American Athletic Conference has been a terrific partner in our efforts to support and recognize teachers,” said CFP Foundation Executive Director Britton Banowsky. “Thousands of students, teachers and schools have been affected across the conference footprint and we are excited for the opportunity to recognize the great work that educators do for our future.”
 
“The American Athletic Conference and our member institutions are proud to partner with the CFP Foundation and the Extra Yard for Teachers program in support of education and the exemplary teachers serving in our schools. We are honored that we have been able take part in the program through the DonorsChoose.org funding. Providing additional vital resources for teachers and students that will have a lasting educational impact on their lives is critical.” said American Athletic Conference Commissioner Mike Aresco.
 
For more information about the CFP Foundation, visit cfp-foundation.org.
 
   
 
About the College Football Playoff Foundation and Extra Yard for Teachers
The College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the College Football Playoff, supporting education across the country. The CFP Foundation’s primary cause platform, Extra Yard for Teachers, is dedicated to elevating the teaching profession by inspiring and empowering teachers 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 cfp-foundation.org and follow Extra Yard for Teachers (@CFPExtraYard) on social media.

About the American Athletic Conference
The American Athletic Conference (The American), a member of the NCAA, was reconstituted in 2013. With the conference office in Providence, Rhode Island, The American is comprised of the following institutions: UCF, Cincinnati, UConn, ECU, Houston, Memphis, Navy (in football only), USF, SMU, Temple, Tulane and Tulsa. Wichita State (basketball and Olympic sports) joined the Conference on July 1, 2017. Under the leadership of Commissioner Mike Aresco, The American sponsors 22 championships – 10 for men and 12 for women; is a member of the College Football Playoff; began new television partnerships with ESPN and CBS Sports in 2014; and has a marketing partnership with Learfield. For more information, please visit www.TheAmerican.org.