College football season is off and running, which means it’s time for huge upset wins, contentious weekly rankings, and delicious gameday eats. If you’re looking for the ultimate crowd-pleasers for your next tailgate or watch party, look no further than Eckrich. Here in Wisconsin, I know I can show up with Sausage Pizza Skewers or a Jalapeno Popper Sausage Skillet and be the life of the party. These amazing recipes start with Eckrich’s line of delicious smoked sausages.
Eckrich’s good work doesn’t just end after the sausage gets made. For the fourth consecutive year, they’re teaming up with CFP Extra Yard for Teachers Foundation to celebrate teachers across the country for their honest work and tireless commitment to ensuring that their students have the tools to succeed. In a continuous effort to support classroom projects nationwide, Eckrich has donated more than $2 million dollars to support the Extra Yard for Teachers Charity.
Throughout the season, fans can visit www.Eckrich.com/teachers to nominate their favorite educators to participate in the $1 Million Challenge. Selected teachers will attempt to make a 15-yard throw for their chance to win a $1 million donation to support classroom resource projects within their area through Extra Yard for Teachers. Students, parents, or even fellow colleagues can nominate educators who go above and beyond for the chance to make the winning throw at the following games and get the credit that they deserve:
November 5– Florida State at Miami (Deadline: October 26)- November 19 – Miami at Clemson (Deadline: November 9)
NOMINATE YOUR FAVORITE TEACHER HERE
We talked to Annie MacBeth, a Spanish teacher from Flushing High School in Michigan, to discuss her recent throwing attempt. Annie participated in the $1M Challenge at the Michigan State-Ohio State game on October 8.
How did it feel to be nominated for this challenge?
It was an honor to be nominated by one of my colleagues, Susan Stockton, for this amazing opportunity! She knows that I am a teacher who enjoys what I do and who cares about my students, and she also knows how big of a Spartan fan I am. I was just shocked that I was randomly drawn. I’ve never won anything in my life!
How did you prepare for this throw? What was your training regimen?
In just a few days, I went from not knowing how to hold a football correctly to being able to throw it fairly well the full 15 yards! I certainly have to give a lot of praise to some of my football player student-athletes that offered to help me practice before and after school. They were extremely helpful, and more importantly, patient with me! As a teacher, it’s awesome to see the students becoming the teachers – particularly when it’s something they care about so much. One of my colleagues set up a tire hanging from the goalpost outside to practice my aim. My husband also set up a full-size target in the backyard for some practice at home.
How did you deal with the big-game pressure of the throw?
I was feeling confident after practicing all week. I’m not gonna lie: I got some stage fright when I walked out there on the field. I told my students when I returned on Monday that it was similar to their test anxiety. I had “studied” and practiced the entire week, but when I was on the field, I forgot all of my training! I calmed my nerves a bit for the follow-up 10-yard throw for $10,000 and hit the target, but threw just a bit higher than the circle.
What kind of impact does a donation like this have on a school district?
Even though I didn’t win the $1 million or even the $10,000 donation for local teachers, I am grateful for the $2,500 donation to Extra Yards for Teachers. While I am fortunate that my district provides the necessary items needed for my classroom, I hope that some funds will be used in local school districts towards increasing the literature available to students in the classroom. Whether it’s an English classroom or even a world language class such as my own, I think that it is so important to have a variety of books available to students.
What’s your advice for the teachers participating this year?
I was given some advice at the beginning of the week: “practice, but don’t practice too much.” I would definitely echo this suggestion. The other advice that I would give is to just have fun! Being a bit of a Spartan fan myself, it was such a great opportunity to be out on the field at Spartan Stadium and to go through the tunnel right after the Spartan Marching Band and the entire football team. I did what I could out there, and at the end of the day, local districts will still benefit from the generous donation to Extra Yards for Teachers.
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ESPN x Eckrich® $1 Million Challenge for Teachers
Additionally, live on ESPN on January 9, 2023, during the hours leading up to the College Football Playoff, Emmy Award-winning college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit and multifaceted sports journalist Marty Smith will take center stage at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California to participate in the Eckrich® $1 Million Challenge for Teachers.
Kirk and Marty will attempt to successfully complete 15-yard throws through a target, with the potential to score up to $1 million in added donations for Extra Yard for Teachers. Let’s hope Lee Corso doesn’t show up and block the throws with a mascot head!
NOMINATE YOUR FAVORITE TEACHER HERE
About Eckrich
Eckrich is a brand of Smithfield Foods. Founded by Peter Eckrich in 1894, it began from a small meat market in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Today, Eckrich has grown to become of the most recognized regional premium deli and meat brands on the market. They’re recognized for their great taste and supreme quality, craftsmanship, care, and pride.
Whether you’re grilling smoked sausages in the parking lot or making a decadent deli sandwich while watching the game at home, Eckrich® – the Official Smoked Sausage and Deli Meat Sponsor of the College Football Playoff (CFP) – is a must-have menu item for an all-around delicious meal.
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*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. OPEN ONLY TO CERTIFIED TEACHERS AT PRE-K-12 PUBLIC, VOCATIONAL, CHARTER, PAROCHIAL, OR INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS LOCATED IN ELIGIBLE COUNTIES LISTED IN THE OFFICIAL RULES. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Sweepstakes ends November 9. To enter and for Official Rules, including prize descriptions, odds, and terms and conditions, visit www.eckrich.com/teachers. Sponsor: Smithfield Packaged Meats Sales Corp., 111 Commerce St., Smithfield, VA 23430.
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