NEW ORLEANS – The College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation and the New Orleans College Football Championship Host Committee (NOCFCHC) hosted an Extra Yard for Teachers Teacher Appreciation Party for teachers and staff at Rock ‘N’ Bowl in New Orleans on Friday. More than 500 New Orleans area teachers and guests were in attendance for an evening of free food, drinks and live music.

Sun Belt Conference Commissioner Keith Gill took center stage for the highlight of evening's event – the drawing and presentation of a School Specialty Media Room Makeover. Each educator in attendance entered into a drawing to win the makeover and Christopher Hatten was selected on behalf of KIPP Central City. The Media Room Makeover powered by the Sun Belt is valued at $50,000.

"The basis of college athletics is higher education. Education is so important. It's really what changes people's lives and it's really what gets us excited to come to work every day," said Gill.
 
The CFP Foundation and EYFT use the popular platform of college football and the CFP National Championship to support education across the country. In conjunction with the College Football Playoff National Championship in New Orleans (January 13, 2020), a primary focus of the efforts is teacher recruitment and retention in New Orleans public schools, since there has been a lack of stability in the teacher workforce. A key part of this effort is recognizing teachers with celebration events that are planned to engage with all 2,700 in the system, including Friday’s Rock ‘N’ Bowl event, complimentary tickets to Tulane’s October 12 football game, plus a series of lunches across the community.
 
In addition, representatives from Entergy, the major host committee local partner, were on hand to assist with the operation of the event. Entergy also provided a bonus raffle prize as David Ellis, President & CEO of Entergy New Orleans, presented an autographed Drew Brees jersey to Kylle Arnold Kolk from Eleanor McMain High School.
 
Guests were welcomed by Gill and Dr. Henderson Lewis Jr., the superintendent of New Orleans Public Schools, while Britton Banowsky, the executive director of the CFP Foundation, gave an overview of the Foundation’s efforts in New Orleans and around the country. Judge Monique Morial, the president of the Allstate Sugar Bowl (the driving force of the New Orleans Host Committee), gave direct thanks to the teachers in attendance.
 
“Our city’s teachers are leading our students to achieve great things and deserve our deepest appreciation every day,” said Lewis. “The teacher appreciation events sponsored by the College Football Playoff Foundation are a thoughtful way to thank our educators for their hard-work and dedication that mold our students’ lives in a positive direction. As a former teacher myself, I want to encourage the entire community to thank and celebrate our educators day in and day out.”
 
The CFP Foundation will continue its teacher-appreciation efforts in New Orleans with Tulane’s home football game against UConn at Yulman Stadium on October 12. Local teachers have the opportunity to receive a free ticket for themselves and a guest while supplies last. Click here for more information.
 
The overall teacher-focused efforts of the NOCFCHC will continue well after the 2020 CFP National Championship. As with past cities that have hosted the national championship game, the plan is a long-range effort to make a strong, sustainable impact on the local area’s education.
 
Media Contacts
Tony Fay, Tony Fay PR | P: 972-273-0794, tony@tonyfaypr.com
John Sudsbury, Allstate Sugar Bowl | P: 504-427-7076, johns@sugarbowl.org