Eckrich, the official smoked sausage and deli meat sponsor of the College Football Playoff, welcomed ESPN’s Marty Smith to the field during the CFP National Championship on Jan. 19 in Miami, Florida.
Smith, sports journalist, ESPN, successfully made three throws unlocking $600,000 dollars to support teachers nationwide through the Eckrich $1 Million Challenge for Teachers. (Courtesy photo.)
Smith made three successful throws as part of the Eckrich $1 Million Challenge for Teachers, unlocking $600,000 to benefit educators nationwide through the CFP Foundation’s Extra Yard for Teachers initiative.
“Big wins don’t just happen on the field – they happen in classrooms every day thanks to teachers,” said Shane Smith, president and CEO of Smithfield Foods. “Teachers play an essential role in every community, and contributing $3.5 million since our Eckrich brand’s $1 Million Challenge for Teachers began is a true championship moment for all of us.”
Since 2018, Eckrich and the CFP Foundation have invited nominated teachers to take the field during regular season college games for a 15-yard throw challenge, giving them the chance to win up to $1 million for their schools. The program highlights educators in front of fans, while providing critical funding for classrooms nationwide. This year included visits to four schools as part of the Eckrich brand mobile tour.
While there was no winning throw this season, Eckrich recognized each of the selected educators for their dedication to their students by providing the CFP Foundation with $2,500 to support local education initiatives at each of the four games, as well as $500 worth of free groceries at a local retailer for the participating teachers, totaling $10,000 in donations and $2,000 in groceries.
“Eckrich has been an incredible partner for eight years, and their unwavering support has been fundamental to the success of our mission,” said Britton Banowsky, executive director of the CFP Foundation. “Having a partner so dedicated to empowering teachers makes a significant impact in making our work possible.”
This past year, Eckrich also supported the Extra Yard Makeover program by providing $250,000 to five deserving schools across the country to transform and revitalize a central learning space of each school’s choice, such as a cafeteria, library or media center. Participating schools along the route of the brand’s annual college football fan mobile tour were selected on a merit and needs basis.
Eckrich also honored the winner of the Eckrich Teacher of the Year, Sarah Damato, a special education teacher from Pennsylvania, with a once-in-a-lifetime trip to experience the 2026 CFP National Championship weekend, plus $5,000 to fund classroom projects.
For more information about the Eckrich $1 Million Challenge for Teachers and the Eckrich National Teacher of the Year program, visit www.Eckrich.com/teachers.
Media contact:
Tracey Schneider
[email protected]
513.218.0524
