Hokie ClubGREENSBORO, N.C. (theACC.com) – The Atlantic Coast Conference, in partnership with the College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation, announces the league's Go Teach Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway recipients. The tuition giveaway awards one $20,000 grand prize in addition to fifteen $2,500 scholarships to student-athletes pursuing careers in education.
During an ACC Network interview on Monday evening, North Carolina's Taylor McDaniels was surprised with the news that she had been selected for the ACC's Go Teach Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway grand prize. McDaniels recently completed her undergraduate degree in human development and family studies and plans to pursue her master's in special education.
Prior to the grand prize announcement, student-athlete nominees representing the ACC's fifteen institutions were invited to a video conference hosted by the CFP Foundation where it was revealed that they would each receive a $2,500 scholarship. The video conference included representatives from Dr Pepper, special guest speaker and former NFL safety Darren Woodson, and student-athlete nominees from other Power 5 conferences.
"The Atlantic Coast Conference has great respect for the teaching profession, and we are proud to support our student-athletes in their desire to become future educators," said ACC Commissioner John Swofford. "ACC student-athletes embody teamwork, understand the importance of collaboration and have gained significant life lessons learned from athletics. With these talents and their passion to educate, they will undoubtedly go on to positively impact the lives of their students."
ACC student-athlete recipients were recommended by campus representatives based on their aspirations to pursue a career in teaching or coaching with the grand prize winner being selected by the conference's awards committee.
The CFP Foundation and Dr Pepper are dedicated to growing the Go Teach initiative to place qualified teachers in classrooms across the nation. Over the next six years, the CFP Foundation and Dr Pepper are awarding a collective $1.5 million in tuition to conference partners, the ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-12 and SEC to provide support and recognition for student-athletes majoring in education. Each year up to 65 total student-athletes will be awarded $2,500 in tuition, and five grand-prize recipients will receive an additional $20,000 tuition grant – one student per conference.
"Dr Pepper has been a wonderful partner, and we are thrilled to have their continued support," said CFP Foundation Executive Director Britton Banowsky. "Our Go Teach project is an exciting initiative to encourage student-athletes to pursue careers in education, and this generous tuition support will go a long way to ensure the continued expansion of the Go Teach project in the years to come."
ACC Go Teach Dr Pepper $2,500 Tuition Giveaway Recipients:
Name, Institution, Sport
John Lamot, Boston College, Football
Josh Jackson, Clemson, Football
Eoin Gronningsater, Duke, Men's Fencing
Elizabeth Mason, Florida State, Softball
Crosby Huckabay, Georgia Tech, Softball
Ainsley Mattingly, Louisville, Women's Rowing
Abby Schwenger, Miami, Women's Rowing
Savannah Bryant, NC State, Volleyball
*Taylor McDaniels, North Carolina, Women's Lacrosse
Maddie Carr, Notre Dame, Women's Lacrosse
Nikki Scherer, Pitt, Women's Track & Field
Lindsey Hendrix, Syracuse, Softball
Ethan Weatherspoon, Virginia, Wrestling
Sara Goodwin, Virginia Tech, Women's Lacrosse
Elijah Shalaway, Wake Forest, Men's Track & Field
*Grand prize recipient
About the College Football Playoff Foundation and Extra Yard for Teachers
The CFP Foundation is the community-engagement arm of the College Football Playoff, supporting education across the country. The CFP Foundation's primary cause platform, Extra Yard for Teachers, is dedicated to elevating the teaching profession by inspiring and empowering teachers in four focus areas: resources, recognition, recruitment and professional development. The CFP Foundation utilizes multiple partnerships to execute its initiatives and support positive educational outcomes. To learn more, visit cfp-foundation.org and follow Extra Yard for Teachers (@CFPExtraYard) on social media.