COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF FOUNDATION, FLORIDA CITRUS SPORTS AND LIFT ORLANDO UNVEIL STEM CENTER MAKEOVER AT ORANGE CENTER ELEMENTARY TO CELEBRATE UCF AND THE BIG 12

IRVING, Texas (Sept. 29, 2023) – The College Football Playoff Foundation (CFPF), Florida Citrus Sports (FCS), and Lift Orlando unveiled an Extra Yard Makeover at Orange Center Elementary in Orlando today. Part of the 2023 Big 12 Homecoming tour to welcome UCF Athletics to the conference, the new STEM center will impact students in the Communities of West Lakes surrounding Camping World Stadium for years to come.

The Orange Center Elementary makeover comes on the heels of Extra Yard for Teachers Week, as the college football community continues to unite to uplift teachers and students in Orlando. The makeover was made possible through funding from the CFPF, FCS and Lift Orlando – a nonprofit organization that serves communities surrounding Camping World Stadium.

“We’re proud to be able to make a lasting impact on the lives of teachers and students alongside the CFP Foundation,” said Florida Citrus Sports CEO Steve Hogan. “Working with Lift Orlando and our partners in West Lakes to help shape the futures of children in the Central Florida community has been an incredible journey.”

The CFPF and FCS launched a significant initiative in 2019 to support Orlando teachers with a joint investment of a minimum of $1 million over five years to fund projects within the footprint of Lift Orlando, designed to support teachers and a positive student environment. The CFPF and FCS have a highly successful history of matching investments to support education as part of Lift Orlando. These investments include the support of early learning opportunities and classroom resources where the needs are the highest.

“All of us at Lift Orlando are excited that we can come together to make this new learning center possible for the students at Orange Center Elementary,” said Lift Orlando President Eddy Moratin. “We’re grateful for the partnership with Florida Citrus Sports and the CFP Foundation and look forward to continuing our efforts to help teachers and educators in our community.”

The Orange Center Elementary makeover includes new furniture sourced through Extra Yard Makeover partner School Specialty, as well as the installation of state-of-the-art learning technology.

The Big 12 Conference is hosting a 2023 Big 12 Homecoming tour in each of the four new communities joining the conference, including this weekend with UCF Athletics. The tour is a conference-wide celebration of the Big 12 brand, bringing three days of entertainment and community engagement to the campuses of Big 12 members. Each Friday of Big 12 Homecomings includes a day of service, with UCF student-athletes and coaches visiting Orange Center Elementary today as part of the makeover unveiling.

The Big 12 Conference is excited to support educational initiatives not only for our student athletes, but communities across the Big 12,” said Big 12 Conference Chief Impact Officer Jenn Hunter, J.D.. “This unveiling provides students an opportunity to learn and engage in an environment with the technology and resources needed for success in today’s world.

“We’re thrilled that our partners at Florida Citrus Sports, Lift Orlando, the Big 12, and UCF Athletics could come together to make this impressive makeover possible at Orange Center Elementary,” said CFP Foundation Executive Director Britton Banowsky. “We couldn’t impact teachers and children the way that we do without the continued support of these incredible partners. The work being done by Lift Orlando in the neighborhoods around Camping World Stadium is extraordinary and we are so proud to be associated with the effort.”

“This is another great demonstration of what our affiliation with the Big 12 brings to the community of Orlando. We’re honored to represent the conference in making this significant financial commitment to Orlando schools,” said UCF Vice President and Director of Athletics Terry Mohajir. “When it comes to education, UCF has always been about creating opportunities for many young people, and Extra Yard for Teachers represents what the CFP, the Big 12, UCF and FCS bring to the community.”

“We are incredibly grateful for our community’s support of Orange Center Elementary School,” said Dr. Brooks, principal of Orange Center Elementary. “Having this exciting new area for children to indulge in their love for reading is truly wonderful. The students will benefit from this new space for years to come.”

Since its inception, the CFP Foundation and its EYFT platform has supported more than 500,000 teachers nationwide, creating a positive impact for more than 9.2 million students and 50,000 schools while collectively investing approximately $57 million in support of education nationwide.