DENTON, Texas – North Texas sophomore swimmer Sadie Goldin has been awarded $12,500 in tuition assistance from the College Football Playoff Foundation and Dr Pepper, after she was named the American Athletic Conference's Go Teach Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway grand prize recipient.
Goldin will receive a $10,000 scholarship as the conference's winner in addition to a $2,500 scholarship as UNT's institutional nominee. The tuition giveaway awards one grand prize from each FBS conference to student-athletes pursuing careers in education.
"I am totally blown away," Goldin said. "I honestly forgot about the video I submitted and didn't think this would ever happen. This is just the best day ever. I'm just so excited because I just really want to get teaching. I just really love helping other people and getting started on that brings me so much joy.
"I think I always knew I wanted to be a teacher but I didn't truly understand what that meant for me, for my life," Goldin added. "I thought about it all the time and I was like, 'This is what I'm supposed to do.' I can't even explain it. I have such a passion for learning. I'm a big nerd, and I love giving back. It's the most perfect job for me. I'm going to be so happy for the rest of my life."
Goldin works with several charitable organizations such as Team Impact, Wipe Out Kids Cancer, VISTA and several different food banks. In the summers, she is a one-on-one counselor for campers with special needs. She also leads all UNT student-athletes this year in community service hours.
"It is hard to miss Sadie Goldin's passion for education and service," said UNT assistant director of student-athlete development Brandon Fisher. "She has a unique gift of building relationships with everyone she meets, regardless of their background or circumstances. She leads all student-athletes in community service hours and has even taken the initiative to organize multiple community service events herself. Sadie is very deserving of this award and I can't wait to see the impact she continues to make. Sadie is a perfect fit for the education field and will be a phenomenal teacher one day."
Head coach Brittany Roth said she can tell by Goldin's impact on her team and in the community what a great fit she is for the teaching profession.
"I'm really happy for Sadie" Roth said. "She is such a kind and caring person, and in her pursuit of her teaching degree. Sadie is so deserving of this award. She has such a great impact on our team, representing UNT, and within her reach into the community to help others. I know she is appreciative of this opportunity, and I'm so glad she won this award."
All student-athlete recipients were recommended by campus representatives based on their aspirations to pursue a career in teaching or coaching, with the grand prize winner selected by the College Football Playoff Foundation Go Teach Committee.
The CFP Foundation and Dr Pepper are dedicated to growing the Go Teach initiative to place qualified teachers in classrooms across the nation.