CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – The Atlantic Coast Conference announced today its plans for distributing grant funds in conjunction with the College Football Playoff Foundation (CFPF) through its Extra Yard for Teachers (EYFT) initiative ahead of the 2023 ACC Football Championship Game on Saturday, Dec. 2, between No. 4 Florida State and No. 14 Louisville at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
As part of this year’s efforts, the ACC announced in September 2023 that it will remodel a local Charlotte Mecklenburg School (CMS) space as the conference pledges to make an impact within the Charlotte community. The conference is pleased to announce Winding Springs Elementary will be the recipient of a $50,000 Extra Yard makeover. In addition to the Extra Yard makeover, the ACC has invited all the students and teachers of Winding Springs Elementary to the 2023 ACC Football Championship Game.
“We are honored to recognize the incredible individuals at Winding Springs Elementary in Charlotte, North Carolina, with a makeover within an area of the school,” said ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips, Ph.D. “To be able to impact more than 800 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, their amazing teachers, staff and administration, is extremely humbling. Our entire office will continue to be dedicated to providing essential resources in building a brighter future for students across Charlotte communities.”
As part of this year’s Extra Yard for Teachers distribution of grant funds, in addition to the Winding Springs makeover, the ACC will be funding teachers’ projects in Charlotte, Louisville and Tallahassee in celebration of the ACC Football Championship Game on Saturday. Fans will help determine the areas of funding as part of the EYFT activation located within ACC Fan Fest.
In addition to the classroom resource projects, the ACC has named 15 student-athletes as recipients of the 2023 Go Teach Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway. Each will receive $2,500 on behalf of the CFP Foundation and Dr Pepper to assist in their continued pursuit of a degree or career in education. And in the coming weeks, one recipient will win the Grand Prize of an additional $10,000 in tuition support. The 15 student-athletes were chosen by campus representatives, and the Grand Prize winner will be selected by the ACC’s awards committee.
- Boston College: Taji Johnson, Football
- Clemson: Kevin McNeal, Football
- Duke: Job Trahan, Men’s Track & Field
- Florida State: Raelyn White, Beach Volleyball
- Georgia Tech: Sophie Boice, Women’s Cross Country/Track & Field
- Louisville: Darrian Bell, Football
- Miami: Madeline Scheier, Women’s Cross Country/Track & Field
- North Carolina: Alyssa Long, Women's Lacrosse
- NC State: Chase Horne, Wrestling
- Notre Dame: Joey Jegier, Men’s Track & Field
- Pitt: Eli Kosanovich, Football
- Syracuse: Noah Beveridge, Men’s Cross Country/Track & Field
- Virginia: Jaden Lyons, Men's Track & Field
- Virginia Tech: Charlotte Rigg, Women's Swimming
- Wake Forest: Bo Cummins, Men's Soccer
The College Football Playoff Foundation is the largest sports entity in America that is supporting education. Its nationwide Extra Yard for Teachers platform has collectively invested approximately $57 million in support of education. The CFP Foundation Extra Yard for Teachers platform is successful in supporting and uplifting teachers by focusing on four major areas: Recognition, Resources, Professional Development, Recruitment and Retention. Since its inception, the CFP Foundation has supported nearly 500,000 teachers nationwide, creating a positive impact for more than 9.2 million students and 50,000 schools.
For more information about the CFP Foundation, visit cfp-foundation.org and for more about the Atlantic Coast Conference, visit theACC.com.
About the College Football Playoff Foundation
The College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation is the 501©3 non-profit organization serving as the community engagement arm of the College Football Playoff and works in partnership with institutions of higher education, sports organizations, corporations and non-profits to support educators and improve student outcomes. The purpose of the CFP Foundation lies in supporting PK-12 education by elevating the teaching profession. The CFP Foundation inspires and empowers educators by focusing its work in four areas: recognition, resources, recruitment and retention, and professional development. To learn more, visit cfp-foundation.org and follow Extra Yard for Teachers (@CFPExtraYard) on social media.
About The Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference, now in its 71st year of competition and 15 members strong, has long enjoyed the reputation as one of the strongest and most competitive intercollegiate conferences in the nation. ACC members Boston College, Clemson, Duke, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Miami, North Carolina, NC State, Notre Dame, Pitt, Syracuse, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest continue to build upon the cornerstones on which the league was founded in 1953 with a consistent balance of academics, athletics and integrity. The ACC currently sponsors 28 NCAA sports – 15 for women and 13 for men – with member institutions located in 10 states. In August 2019, ESPN and the ACC partnered to launch ACC Network (ACCN), a 24/7 national network dedicated to ACC sports and league-wide original programming. For more information, visit theACC.com and follow @accsports on Instagram and @theACC on Twitter and on Facebook (facebook.com/theACC).