Supporting Texas Teachers and Coaches through Mentorship and Recognition

The College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation is proud to team up with the Texas High School Coaches Association (THSCA) once again on programs that support education. As one of the founding stakeholders in the launch of the R.O.C.K. (Rare, Outstanding, Compelled, Knowledgeable) Coaches Mentoring Program in 2021, the CFP Foundation is excited about the positive outcomes since it aligns directly with its Go Teach program which focuses on recruiting and retaining quality leaders in the classroom.

The CFP Foundation announced its continued support for the unique teacher coach mentorship program on February 28 at the THSCA Leadership Conference in Arlington, Texas. Now with a total investment of $30,000 into the R.O.C.K. program over the last two years, the partnership will include collaboration between Extra Yard for Teachers (EYFT) and the THSCA on the creation of motivational and promotional content. Go Teach mentors and other EYFT ambassadors will participate as available.

“The CFP Foundation is thrilled to continue our relationship with the Texas High School Coaches Association and this fabulous mentoring program for coaches,” said Britton Banowsky, executive director of the CFP Foundation. “Coaches are some of the best teachers you’ll find, sharing life lessons and teaching skills for players of all ages. The R.O.C.K. program helps ensure that these quality teachers continue to be retained and supported as their invaluable efforts continue to mold our children.”

One of the CFP Foundation’s core focus areas of work is in the area of teacher recruitment and retention. Texas is one of only two states where high school coaches must also be certified teachers. Texas turns over approximately 17 percent of its coaches each year, a rate that needs to improve for the betterment of student-athletes. THSCA’s R.O.C.K. Mentor Program pairs its best young coaches with a seasoned mentor in hopes of keeping them involved. It provides tools and support to give them what they need to be successful in the world of teaching and coaching. In its debut year of 2021, R.O.C.K. addressed diversity and inclusion in ISDs in Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Houston, Lubbock, and McAllen. THSCA is planning to grow the program tenfold within the next three years.

The R.O.C.K. program will hold its next mentorship program event on March 20 and 21 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Extra Yard for Teachers will provide 60 Swag Bags for those participating.

EYFT High School Game Ball Teacher Recognition Program

Valuing a relationship that has steadily grown, the THSCA has pledged to participate in the Extra Yard for Teacher’s High School Game Ball teacher recognition program. For the third year in a row during the annual Extra Yard for Teachers Week (September 17-24, 2022), the CFP Foundation will be recognizing high school teachers throughout the country with their special game ball recognition program and delivery kits. The kits are intended to be used by high school coaches and administrators to recognize fellow high school teachers at a game or in the classroom during Extra Yard for Teachers week. Each teacher nominated will receive an Extra Yard for Teachers and THSCA co-branded game ball, Great Teacher t-shirt and a $25 gift certificate for classroom projects.

The THSCA will promote the High School Game Ball teacher recognition program to its membership throughout Texas, announcing their participation during the annual meetings in San Antonio on July 19 and educating its coaches on how it works. Full information on the program will be sent via email to the membership afterwards, with turn-key links that will make it easy for the coaches to identify a teacher they would like to recognize. The a goal of 1,000 educators being honored across Texas. The THSCA will help promote and collect content related to all of the recognitions by encouraging all of its members to share the special recognition on social media by tagging posts with #ExtraYardGameBall.

“It’s a tremendous program and it really resonates in Texas where high school football is so prominent,” said Banowsky. “The CFP Foundation utilizes the national stage of college football to honor teachers across the country; we can

recognize so many more teachers through the stage of Texas high school football as well. We’re so appreciative of the efforts of the THSCA and what they do.”