NEW ORLEANS – The Sun Belt Conference will continue its partnership with the College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation in recognizing teachers via the Extra Yard for Teachers initiative throughout the 2026 football season.
 
All 14 member institutions of the Sun Belt Conference will receive a grant of $7,500 from the CFP Foundation to elevate the teaching profession by inspiring and empowering teachers through the implementation of the program’s four focus areas: recognition, resources, professional development and recruitment.
 
Additionally, each of the 14 Sun Belt football programs will honor teachers at a designated Extra Yard for Teachers game on their respective campuses—primarily during Extra Yard for Teachers Week, spanning from Sept. 12-19, 2026.
 
Initiated in 2015, Extra Yard for Teachers Week is a nationwide celebration of teachers, led by the CFP Foundation. It uses the platform of college football to show appreciation for educators in communities across the country. 
 
Extra Yard for Teachers Week provides an opportunity for conferences, universities, coaches and student-athletes to celebrate and recognize teachers, while elevating the teaching profession. The Extra Yard for Teachers initiative has collectively invested over $104 million in support of education, impacting 96,000 schools, 756,000 teachers and more than 14 million students nationwide. 
 
The Sun Belt Conference will also promote the Extra Yard for Teachers initiative during the 2026 Credit Union 1 Sun Belt Football Championship Game presented by Visit Pensacola, which is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 4, at 7:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. CT on ESPN.
 
App State | Sept. 19 vs. Charlotte
Facilitating the Reich College of Education and App State Public School Partnership “Future Educators Day” in Boone, N.C., and sponsoring attendees of the North Carolina Teacher Cadet Conference in Raleigh, N.C.
 
Arkansas State | Sept. 12 vs. West Georgia
Awarding six $1,000 scholarships and one $1,500 scholarship to Arkansas teachers.
 
Coastal Carolina | Sept. 12 vs. Fordham
Honoring the eighth annual Horry County School Rookie Teacher of the Year.
 
Georgia Southern | Sept. 5 vs. Charleston Southern
Providing 14 $500 scholarships and two tickets to teachers in Bulloch, Liberty, Chatham and Effingham Counties with the opportunity to receive a stipend to cover a project in their classroom.
 
Georgia State | Sept. 26 vs. Northern Illinois
Assisting the Carver Early College's Teacher Recognition Program by expanding professional learning opportunities.
 
James Madison | Sept. 12 vs. Wagner
Partnering with Stone Spring Elementary School to enhance science education through interactive, hands-on learning experiences.
 
Louisiana | Sept. 19 vs. UAB
Supporting three teachers in the Acadiana region by providing them with funds to purchase classroom materials.
 
ULM | Sept. 19 vs. Southeastern
Assisting Madison James Foster Elementary School’s “Road to the Championship: Empowering Teachers to Win” initiative by supporting upwards of 45 educators through resources, wellness and recognition.
 
Louisiana Tech | Nov. 21 vs. Arkansas State
Supporting educator well-being throughout Lincoln Parish by creating a dedicated mental health and wellness room at Ruston Junior High School.
 
Marshall | Sept. 12 vs. Middle Tennessee
Supporting teachers in purchasing classroom materials through a wish list program as well as assisting in selecting mentor teachers for clinical programs.
 
Old Dominion | Sept. 19 vs. East Carolina
Providing additional funding to school bus drivers in the Hampton Roads area and discounted tickets for women’s basketball’s annual Education Day game.
 
South Alabama | Sept. 19 vs. Ohio
Providing free tickets to teachers and discounted tickets to family members in Mobile and Baldwin Counties. Attending teachers can enter to win $200 to purchase school supplies and will receive a gift from South Alabama Athletics.
 
Southern Miss | Sept. 19 vs. UConn
Recognizing teachers from surrounding school districts with consultation from superintendents and staff by awarding funds to purchase classroom materials. All selected teachers will be surprised with the honor and announced at halftime of the Sept. 19 football game.
 
Troy | Sept. 12 vs. Alabama State
Donating $2,000 to Pike County schools for classroom supplies and $5,500 towards tickets for 1,100 local teachers and students to attend the game.