Schools Statewide Receive More Than $500,000 in Funding, Nearly 90,000 Students Impacted
PHOENIX (Dec. 10, 2015) – The Arizona Organizing Committee (AOC) and the College Football Playoff Foundation are making a meaningful difference for Arizona’s teachers and students leading up to the 2016 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship. To date, the AOC has funded 807 classroom projects in school districts statewide, totaling $572,208 and directly impacting more than 89,000 students.
Through the CFP’s Extra Yard for Teachers initiative and DonorsChoose.org, the funding fulfills needs ranging from books, art and math supplies, to tablets and new technologies to enhance learning opportunities. Between Oct. and Dec., the AOC has surprised teachers, students and principals at five schools.
This morning, teachers in Apache, Cochise, Coconino, Gila, Graham, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo, Santa Cruz, Pima, Pinal, Yavapai and Yuma counties with projects currently listed on DonorsChoose.org learned their classroom requests would also be funded. The AOC, along with city and school district representatives, made the announcements during ceremonies hosted at Cactus Shadows High School (Cave Creek) and Washington Elementary (Mesa).
“A significant part of our focus is to ensure that the 2016 national championship provides a long-lasting, positive impact for the entire state of Arizona,” said Brad Wright, co-chair of the AOC. “The contributions that we have been able to make to support teachers and students in our communities is a direct reflection of this steadfast commitment.”
As part of hosting January’s CFP national championship, the AOC has committed to providing a total of $1 million in charitable contributions. The bulk of the remaining contributions will benefit various education initiatives in Arizona.
“The AOC has taken a huge step in helping us extend the impact of the Extra Yard for Teachers initiative,” said Britton Banowsky, Executive Director of the College Football Playoff Foundation. “We are thrilled that through combined efforts, the national championship game will have a lasting impact for educators in Arizona.”
To sign up or support projects through Extra Yard for Teachers, visit collegefootballplayoff.com. For more information about the AOC’s local contributions or to stay-up-to-date with the latest announcements, visit azchampgame.org.
About the Arizona Organizing Committee
The Arizona Organizing Committee (AOC), a 501(c)(3) organization, is the host of the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship. Comprised of local leaders in business, tourism and sports, the committee’s mission is to raise the funds needed to host the game and accompanying events, and to provide the best possible championship experience for all attendees. The AOC is committed to driving statewide economic growth, while reinforcing Arizona’s standing as the world-class destination for world-class events.
The 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game will be played at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., on January 11, 2016. For more information about the AOC, sponsorship and volunteer opportunities, please visit www.azchampgame.org or call (480) 505-4515. For news and event information, follow the AOC on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About the College Football Playoff Foundation and Extra Yard for Teachers
Extra Yard for Teachers is the College Football Playoff Foundation’s primary philanthropic initiative to honor, celebrate, inspire and empower great teachers nationally and in the communities that host the College Football Playoff. Extra Yard for Teachers seeks to support teachers through the development and implementation of programs in four key focus areas: direct provision of resources, teacher recognition, professional development and leadership training, and by inspiring a college-going culture.
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