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College Football Playoff Announces Lineup For Pregame Festivities

IRVING, Texas – The College Football Playoff (CFP) today announced the prega壯陽藥
me entertainment for the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship. The national championship game will be Monday, January 8, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Zac Brown Band will perform the national anthem, accompanied by David Walker & High Praise, Atlanta’s premier gospel choir. Three-time GRAMMY-winning multi-platinum artists, Zac Brown Band has had five consecutive albums reach the top 10 of the Billboard 200 and four consecutive albums debut at No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Albums chart. To date, the group has sold more than 25 million singles and eight million albums. They have achieved 15 No. 1 radio singles and are the second act to top both the country and active rock formats. They have developed a reputation with critics and fans alike for a live show marked by strong musicianship that defies genre boundaries.

Formed in 1993, David Walker & High Praise is a collage of singers from different denominations whose new album, God’s Got It, was recently released to critical acclaim.

Carly Ortega, a 12-year-old Georgia native, will sign the national ant威而鋼
hem. Carly attends the Atlanta Area School for the Deaf (AASD) and will be signing in honor of her mother, a passionate college football fan, who recently passed away after a long battle with cancer.

Before the anthem, the nation’s colors will be presented by U.S. Marines from Bravo Company, 4th Reconnaissance Battalion, based in Smyrna, Georgia. Continuing a CFP tradition, drummers from the participating team bands will play side-by-side as the color guard is introduced.

For the fourth consecutive year, local college and high school students will perform the “Path to the Championship” procession of 130 banners, representing the ten conferences and all Football Bowl Subdivision institutions. Members of the Georgia Tech marching band will lead the presentation, along with students from Atlanta-area high school marching bands.

As part of the CFP Foundation’s Extra Yard for Teachers (EYFT) initiative, the 2017 Teacher of the Year from each U.S. state and territory will be honored on the field during the pregame celebration. This is an opportunity for fans to applaud these educators for their hard work and dedication and furthers the EYFT mission of elevating the teaching profession.

Pregame festivities at Mercedes-Benz Stadium will begin at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time. Pregame, halftime and postgame pageantry will be produced by Michael T. Fiur Productions, one of the leading producers of live event and sports spectaculars in the world.

Join the conversation on Twitter using the official hashtag #CFBPlayoff. For more information on the College Football Playoff and the national championship game, visit www.collegefootballplayoff.com.

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College Football Playoff Announces Talent Lineup for AT&T Playoff Playlist Live!

Three days of star-studded performances coming to downtown Atlanta’s Championship Campus

ATLANTA, Georgia – The College Football Playoff (CFP) today announced the national recording artists scheduled to perform at AT&T Playoff Playlist Live!, the CFP’s signature concert series taking place January 6-8, 2018, in Atlanta, Georgia.

Performances by Jason Derulo and Charlie Puth will kick off the event on Saturday (January 6) night, along with special guest Lizzo. The Chainsmokers will headline Sunday (January 7), with additional performances by Bebe Rexha and Spencer Ludwig. On game day, Monday (January 8), Darius Rucker will headline the pregame event from the Capital One Quicksilver® Music Stage, along with opening act Brett Young.

Jason Derulo is a multi-Platinum powerhouse whose current hit “Swalla” has over 800 million YouTube views. With more than 102 million single equivalent sales worldwide, his introductory breakout “Whatcha Say” and “Talk Dirty” (feat. 2 Chainz) reached quadruple-Platinum status, while “Want To Want Me” and “Ridin’ Solo” went triple-Platinum and “Trumpets,” “Wiggle” (feat. Snoop Dogg), and “In My Head” earned double-Platinum certifications. Platinum singles include “Marry Me,” “The Other Side,” and “It Girl.” Cumulative streams exceed 6.3 billion and his music has impacted a total audience of more than 20 billion listeners at radio.

Multi-GRAMMY nominated and multi-Platinum singer/songwriter/producer Charlie Puth is climbing charts with his latest single “How Long” from his highly-anticipated sophomore album VoiceNotes, which arrives January 19, 2018. “How Long” follows the first single from VoiceNotes, “Attention,” which hit No. 1 at U.S. Pop Radio and peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. VoiceNotes is the follow-up to Puth’s 2016 RIAA Platinum-certified debut album, Nine Track Mind, which featured multi-Platinum singles “We Don’t Talk Anymore” (feat. Selena Gomez), “One Call Away” and “Marvin Gaye” (feat. Meghan Trainor).

Lizzo made her major-label debut for Atlantic Records in 2016 with the EP Coconut Oil. Lauded by Rolling Stone as one of the “20 Best Pop Albums of 2016,” the EP boasted the hit “Good as Hell,” which churned out 7.3 million Spotify streams, along with the current single “Truth Hurts.” She’s currently headlining her first national tour.

GRAMMY Award-winning and Billboard chart-topping artist/producer duo The Chainsmokers, comprised of Alex Pall and Drew Taggart, have created a signature sound spanning indie, progressive and pop realms. In 2016, the group catapulted to stardom with three certified multi-Platinum hits, “Roses,” “Don’t Let Me Down,” and “Closer.” In 2017, they released their now Platinum-certified debut album, Memories…Do Not Open, which debuted at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart. Most recently wrapping their “Memories…Do Not Open” arena tour, they have performed all over the world and at major festivals.

Bebe Rexha topped the Billboard charts in 2015 with the Platinum-selling “Me, Myself & I” (feat. G-Eazy). In early 2017, she released her debut EP All Your Fault: Part 1, followed by All Your Fault: Part 2, with current smash “Meant to Be” (feat. Florida Georgia Line). To date, she has accumulated over ten million overall single sales and one billion Spotify streams.

Trumpeter, singer and songwriter Spencer Ludwig launched his solo career with the infectious hit “Diggy,” which soundtracked Target’s 2016 Fall Style campaign. Prior to his Warner Bros. Records solo debut, he was the featured trumpeter for multi-Platinum act Capital Cities. Spencer merges jazz and pop for a sound that simmers with soul.

Three-time GRAMMY Award winner Darius Rucker began his solo country career in 2008 after first gaining fame with the rock band Hootie & the Blowfish. Since re-introducing himself as a country artist, Rucker has released four consecutive chart-topping albums, winning both CMA and GRAMMY awards. In 2014, Rucker’s rendition of “Wagon Wheel” reached No. 1on the Country radio charts and was certified triple-Platinum. Witheight career No. 1 country singles, Rucker’s fifth country studio album, When Was the Last Time, was released in October 2017.

Brett Young’s Gold-certified self-titled debut features two back-to-back No. 1 smashes, including the Platinum-certified “Sleep Without You” and two-time Platinum “In Case You Didn’t Know.” The California native was recently named one of Rolling Stone’s “Artists You Need to Know” and has been recognized with nominations from the ACM Awards, People’s Choice Awards, CMT Music Awards and CMA Awards.

AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! will take place at Centennial Olympic Park, in the heart of downtown Atlanta’s Championship Campus. The free, three-day concert series will include fan-friendly entertainment, daily ESPN broadcasts and sponsor giveaways, as well as firework shows.

Gates will open at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday (January 6) and Sunday (January 7). On game day, Monday (January 8), gates will open at Noon ET. For those unable to attend, a livestream of the Saturday and Sunday night performances will be available at www.att.net/attplayoffplaylist.

The 2018 CFP National Championship will take place on Monday, January 8 at 8 p.m. ET. The game will air live on ESPN. For additional information on AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! and the national championship game, visit

www.collegefootballplayoff.com. Join the social conversation by using the hashtags #ATTPlayoffPlaylist and #CFBPlayoff.

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About the College Football Playoff

The College Football Playoff matches the No. 1 seed vs. No. 4, and No. 2 vs. No. 3 in semifinal games that rotate annually among the

Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Goodyear Cotton Bowl, Capital One Orange Bowl, Allstate Sugar Bowl, Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual and PlayStation Fiesta Bowl. This season’s semifinals will take place Monday, January 1, 2018, at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual and the Allstate Sugar Bowl. The national championship game will be Monday, January 8, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) helps millions around the globe connect with leading entertainment, business, mobile and high speed internet services. We offer the nation’s best data network** and the best global coverage of any U.S. wireless provider. We’re one of the world’s largest providers of pay TV. We have TV customers in the U.S. and 11 Latin American countries. Nearly 3.5 million companies, from small to large businesses around the globe, turn to AT&T for our highly secure smart solutions.

AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc. Additional information about AT&T products and services is available at about.att.com. Follow our news on Twitter at @ATT, on Facebook at facebook.com/att and on YouTube at youtube.com/att.

© 2017 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, the Globe logo and other marks are trademarks and service marks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

**Claim based on the Nielsen Certified Data Network Score. Score includes data reported by wireless consumers in the Nielsen Mobile Insights survey, network measurements from Nielsen Mobile Performance and Nielsen Drive Test Benchmarks for Q1 + Q2 2017 across 121 markets.

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Taste of the Championship: Good Food for a Better Cause

Atlanta’s top chefs treat fans to exclusive foodie event ahead of national championship game to support the CFP Foundation’s Extra Yard for Teachers platform

ATLANTA (October 25, 2017) – On Sunday, Jan. 7, 2018, the College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation will host an exclusive foodie event from the country’s best chefs, including local favorites, for a great cause. The “Taste of the Championship” event will feature gourmet food and beverages from notable restaurants and breweries with all proceeds going toward the CFP Foundation’s Extra Yard for Teachers platform.

“Taste of the Championship presents great entertainment and amazing cuisine, all in a world-class venue like the Georgia World Aquarium,” said CFP Foundation executive director, Britton Banowsky. “The best part of the event is that proceeds support teachers throughout Atlanta that are working hard to educate the next generation.”

Ticket buyers will celebrate teachers from around the nation while enjoying live music and chef demonstrations from the best of Atlanta’s culinary community, including:

  • Matt Basford, Executive Chef, Canoe
  • Johnathan and Justin Fox- Chef/Owners, Fox Bros Bar-B-Q
  • Ford Fry, Chef-Owner, Ford Fry Restaurants
  • Kevin Gillespie, Chef-Owner, Red Beard Restaurants
  • Rusty Hamlin, Executive Chef/Partner, Atkins Park Restaurant; Touring Chef for Zac Brown Band, Food Network Star season 13 finalist
  • Eddie Hernandez, Executive Chef, Taqueria del Sol
  • EJ Hodgkinson, Executive Chef, King + Duke
  • Pat Pascarella, Executive Chef, The Optimist
  • Michael Perez, Executive Chef, Donetto
  • Kevin Rathbun, Chef-Owner, Rathbun Restaurants
  • Todd Richards, Executive Chef-Owner, Richards’ Southern Fried

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  • Matthew Ridgway, Executive Chef, Cooks & Soldiers
  • Savannah Sasser, Executive Chef, Hampton & Hudson
  • Joey Ward, Executive Chef, Gunshow

“Nothing brings people together like good food and this event will provide a unique way to unite the community right before the big game for this special cause,” Carl Adkins, Atlanta Football Host Committee executive director said. “We look forward to showcasing Atlanta’s diverse culinary community at Taste of the Championship.”

The “Taste of the Championship” event will be held at the Georgia Aquarium on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2018, from 7:00-10:00 p.m. VIP tickets can be purchased for $350 and include access to special VIP areas, private entrance and early access. General admission can be purchased for $250. Tickets may be purchased at this link.  All proceeds from the event will benefit Extra Yard for Teachers, which elevates the teaching profession by inspiring and empowering teachers through the implementation of programs in four focus areas: resources, recognition, recruitment and professional development.

This is one of many events the CFP Foundation will host in the days leading up to the national championship game on Jan. 8, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. For a list of events and more information on how to get involved visit: www.ATLchampgame.com.

About the Atlanta Football Host Committee 

Formed in 2016 under the Championship Hosting Division of the Atlanta Sports Council, the Atlanta Football Host Committee (AFHC) serves as an extension of the College Football Playoff Group in the local community. The organization is responsible for assisting with the planning and production of the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship and accompanying fan events. The AFHC is comprised of local leaders in business, sports and tourism and their mission is to host a one-of-a-kind championship experience for student-athletes, university representatives, media and college football fans. For more information visit: www.ATLChampGame.com.

About the College Football Playoff and Extra Yard for Teachers

The College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation is the charitable arm of the College Football Playoff, supporting education across the country. The CFP Foundation’s primary platform, Extra Yard for Teachers, elevates the teaching profession by inspiring and empowering teachers through the implementation of programs 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. For more information, visit www.cfp-foundation.org.

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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED. ARE YOU IN?

Atlanta Football Host Committee seeks 2,000 volunteers for College Football Playoff National Championship.

With less than 100 days until a college football champion is crowned, the Atlanta Football Host Committee (AFHC) is seeking Atlanta’s most enthusiastic college football fans to volunteer for fan events before, during and after the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday, January 8, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

As Atlanta prepares to host the country’s biggest college football game, the host committee is calling on over 2,000 energetic and passionate Atlantans to declare themselves “All In” and help represent the city.

“With the opening of Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the nation is watching as Atlanta hosts a number of world-class sporting events over the next few years,” said Carl Adkins, Executive Director of Atlanta Football Host Committee. “It’s our time to showcase all that is great about our city and we cannot do it without the support of our community.”

To help spearhead volunteer efforts and motivate everyone involved, former college football standouts Hines Ward and Coy Wire of CNN & HLN Sports have been named as Honorary Volunteer Captains. The two will lead teams of volunteers, Team Hines and Team Coy, and will host a volunteer competition, pitting “offense” (Ward) against “defense” (Wire).

The volunteer program, “Powered by Southern Company,” will give participants a unique opportunity to get involved with the national championship game. Volunteer responsibilities include hospitali必利勁
ty, transportation, access control, operations and more. Shifts range from four to six hours and volunteers are required to serve on at least three shifts. Volunteers will also be required to complete one training session in December.

In addition to being in on the action, volunteers will receive a custom-designed uniform package including a long-sleeved Nike polo shirt, mid-weight performance fleece jacket, lanyard and cap or knit hat. Volunteer captains will be designated by custom designed knit scarves. Uniform designs will be revealed later this month.

Those interested can register at www.atlchampgame.com/volunteer. All applicants will be prompted to fill out an online background check via Verified Volunteers. All volunteers must be at least 18 years old at the time of submission.

More information, including a complete schedule of events leading up to and during the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, can be found at www.atlchampgame.com.

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Atlanta Football Host Committee and College Football Playoff Foundation dedicate week to honor local teachers

Extra Yard

ATLANTA (September 19, 2017) – The Atlanta Football Host Committee (AFHC) and the College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation will celebrate Atlanta’s teachers through a series of events scheduled during the CFP Foundation’s Extra Yard for Teachers Week, Saturday, September 16 through Saturday, September 23. The week will honor teachers from across the metro Atlanta area […]

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Atlanta Football Host Committee and College Football Playoff Foundation announce partnership for Extra Yard 5K

ATLANTA (June 27, 2017) –The Atlanta Football Host Committee (AFHC) and College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation today announced a partnership with Atlanta Track Club to host the Extra Yard 5K, the official road race of the College Football Playoff. All proceeds benef威而鋼
it Extra Yard for Teachers, the CFP Foundation’s primary platform that elevates the teaching profession by inspiring and empowering quality teachers.

The race, scheduled for Sunday, January 7, 2018, at 8 a.m., starts and finishes within the Champio犀利士
nship Campus footprint in downtown Atlanta.  The 5K is one of many community events leading up to the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday, January 8, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

“We’ve been delighted how this race has grown over its first three years,” said Britton Banowsky, executive director of the CFP Foundation. “The partnership that the AFHC has helped forge with Atlanta Track Club will elevate this event to the next level. Our goal is to engage fans with its fun and energetic atmosphere, and, of course, raise funds to support teachers.”

The 5K includes live entertainment, activities with race sponsors and a post-race awards ceremony where the top overall male and female finishers will each win two (2) tickets to the College Football Playoff National Championship.

Registration for the Extra Yard 5K is now open and includes two (2) tickets to Playoff Fan Central, a participant shirt, finisher’s medal and an entry into the drawing for game tickets. There is a special discount available for teachers with the promo code “TEACHER” when registering. The registration pricing timeline is as follows:

  • Going on now – $25 with a $5 discount with the code TEACHER
  • November 28 – $30 with a $10 discount with the code TEACHER
  • January 1 – $35 with a $15 discount with the code TEACHER

Discount eligibility restrictions apply. Valid faculty or school staff ID and photo identification required at packet pick-up. Limit one discount per faculty/staff ID and offer is non-transferrable.

Register for the Extra Yard 5K at this link: www.atlantatrackclub.org/extra-yard-5k

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Atlanta Public School Children Score Big to Change the Game for Literacy

College football community joins forces to provide a $2 million boost to local students and teachers

ATLANTA (June 22, 2017) – A one-of-a-kind, transformative literacy program has scored a big win for Atlanta Public School (APS) students and teachers, thanks to the efforts of the college football community.

Beginning this week, a three-year, $2 million APS Literacy Initiative – co-funded by the Atlanta Football Host Committee, Chick-fil-A Foundation, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl and College Football Playoff Foundation – will better equip educators to teach literacy skills.

The program represents the largest corporate gift to Atlanta Public Schools in the last five years and will be a huge asset in the district’s ongoing fight to improve literacy rates.

Currently, more than one third of APS second graders read below grade level and 70 percent of teachers lack confidence teaching fundamental literacy skills. Research shows that students who do not read proficiently by the end of the third grade are four times more likely to leave school without a diploma. That is why improving childhood literacy is key to the APS transformation plan.

“We are so thankful for this support and what it will do for our teachers and students,” said APS Superintendent Dr. Meria Carstarphen. “Strong early childhood literacy is a key factor in a student’s success, and is a top priority for our district. This program has the ability to completely change the game for our students and give them the boost they desperately need.”

Specialized teacher training began this week for 175 teachers and will continue over the summer session with two more weeks of training. By 2020, the literacy initiative will equip 1,500 APS teachers with the skills to deliver high-quality literacy instruction to all 25,000 APS elementary students.

The training will focus on the Orton-Gillingham (O-G) approach to literacy. The O-G technique is scientifically proven to enhance reading proficiency for all learners using instruction in sight, hearing, touch and movement to help students connect language with letters and words. The goal of the training is to ensure all teachers feel comfortable teaching foundational early learning literacy skills to students including phonemic awareness, vocabulary, phonics and fluency.

The APS Literacy Initiative allows t壯陽藥
he district to partner with the Institute for Multi-Sensory Education – a leading provider of direct, systematic and sequential instruction that empowers educators to teach the foundation of the English language – to run the training sessions.

Funding for the program is primarily connected to Atlanta’s college football community and is an example of the positive impact the sport can have on a community. In large part, the APS Literacy Initiative is a result of Atlanta hosting the sport’s highest-profile games, including last year’s College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl and this year’s College Football Playoff National Championship which will be played Jan. 8, 2018 – exactly 200 days from now.

“We are thrilled to have an opportunity to give back to the Atlanta community and positively impact the lives of so many young students,” said Dan Corso, president, Atlanta Sports Council and Atlanta Football Host Committee Board of Directors. “This program will shine a deserving spotlight on the importance of early literacy, education and empowering students to reach their academic goals.”

 “At the Chick-fil-A Foundation, we believe in the power of learning,” said Rodney Bullard, vice president of community affairs at Chick-fil-A, Inc. and executive director of the Chick-fil-A Foundation. “We know that when children are given the right tools at a young age, they can build better, brighter futures. The work the APS will be doing through this literacy program will change lives and communities, right here in Chick-fil-A’s hometown. It’s our pleasure to play a small part.”

“We have a passion to be involved and give back to our community, especially in education, and especially with an effort of this significance” said Gary Stokan, CEO and president of Peach Bowl, Inc. “We have a long history of supporting APS through our local Academic Mentoring Program and Endowed Scholarship Program and this is a perfect extension of those efforts and something we hope will have a lasting positive effect on our children.”

Said Britton Banowsky, executive director of the College Football Playoff Foundation: “These are the types of breakthroughs we’re hoping that the CFP Foundation, via Extra Yard for Teachers, can facilitate in communities across the nation. We’ve had remarkable co-partners in Atlanta, and we thank them for their leadership in identifying this opportunity and implementing the funds. We’d like to see this become a national model and certainly the visibility provided by the sport of college football help enormously.”

In the program’s first year, 500 kindergarten and fir犀利士
st grade teachers will be trained in sessions from June 19-23, June 26-29 and July 17-21. Teacher training will be hosted by APS at the former Sammye E. Coan Middle School building.

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Atlanta Football Host Committee Surprises Mays High School with “All In” Moment

ATLANTA (May 2, 2017) – In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, the Atlanta Football Host Committee (AFHC) and College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation surprised Mays High School teachers and students with $50,000 donation through a special “All In” Moment.

Mays High School teachers and students took a break from testing to gather in the auditorium for the exciting “All In” Moment with Principal Richard Fowler, AFHC Executive Director Carl Adkins and former Atlanta Falcon Jerious Norwood. The school was presented with a $50,000 donation which will be used towards the following:

  • Student incentives for participation in college-going culture activities such as FAFSA workshops
  • Teacher incentives (funding DonorsChoose.org projects) for promoting college going culture in their classrooms
  • Computer and software upgrades that support personalized and blended learning
  • Extracurricular support for band and athletics including new uniforms and equipment

“We are grateful to the Atlanta Football Host Committee for this game-changing support. Our students and teachers work tirelessly all year and rarely get recognized,” said Principal Fowler. “This is a perfect way to celebrate the end of the school year and to recognize our amazing staff and students who could really use a lift right now. Many thanks to the CFP Foundation as well—we’re ALL IN!”

“Through hosting the 20壯陽藥
18 College Football Playoff National Championship we have a phenomenal opportunity to impact Atlanta Public Schools and local teachers, said Carl Adkins, Executive Director of the Atlanta Football Host Committee. “Behind every successful student, you will find a teacher that has positively impacted and empowered their students to reach the next academic level and our goal is to recognize Atlanta’s hardworking teachers and continue promoting further education.”

The Atlanta Football Host Committee has partnered with Atlanta Public Schools to support schools and provide “All In” Moments across the Atlanta community throughout the year leading up to the College Football Playoff National Championship in January 2018. Through Extra Yard for Teachers and DonorsChoose.org, “All In” Moments teach the importance of a high school education and emphasizes efforts to extend studies into college.

The College Football Playoff Foundation aims to elevate the teaching profession by inspiring and empowering quality teachers. In its first three years, the College Football Playoff Foundation impacted 97,407 teachers through the Extra Yard for Teachers platform as well as over three million students in 12,902 schools across the country. The CFP Foundation and its partners have been responsible for $11.8 million in support to causes impacting the teaching profession.

National Teacher Appreciation Week is May 6-12; however, Atlanta Public Schools is celebrating and honoring teachers May 1-5. The College Football Hall of Fame is hosting a Teacher Appreciation Day on Saturday, May 6 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Teachers will receive free admission with valid ID as well as discounted rates for additional guests. The first 100 teachers will receive a special gift to take home. Visit https://www.cfbhall.com/happenings/teacher-appreciation-day/ for more details.

About the Atlanta Football Host Committee

Formed in 2016, the Atlanta Football Host Committee (AFHC) serves as an extension of College Football Playoff administration in the local community. The organization is responsible for assisting with the planning and production of the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship and accompanying fan events. The AFHC is comprised of local leaders in business, sports and tourism and its mission is to host a one-of-a-kind Championship experience for student-athletes, university representatives, media and college football fans. For more information, visit: www.ATLChampGame.com.

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Knox Bardeen Recaps AFHC and CFP Press Conference

ATLANTA (April 12, 2017) – There were many excited Atlantans downtown Wednesday, but maybe none with as much enthusiasm as Brad Nessler. The college football broadcasting legend danced his way to the lectern and paused for high-fives and selfies with second graders from nearby Scott Elementary School, special guests as the Atlanta Football Host Committee (AFHC), in conjunction with the College Football Playoff (CFP), divulged plans for the 2018 Championship Campus in downtown Atlanta.

We won’t know for some time which two teams will compete for the title, but the AFHC has made it an absolute certainty that fans will be entertained both during the College Football Playoff National Championship Game on Jan. 8, 2018 and outside the stadium in the days leading up to the big game.

At a press conference Wednesday, Nessler, along with President of Atlanta Football Host Committee Board of Directors Dan Corso, Executive Director of the College Football Playoff Bill Hancock and radio personality and Atlanta Hawks Public Address Announcer Ryan Cameron set the stage for what will be happening outside Mercedes-Benz Stadium while the teams prepare to battle.

The biggest college football game ever played in Atlanta will be surrounded by seven events and venues that are not only fan-friendly but based inside a compact and walkable footprint. This concentrated area outside the stadium was one of the contributing factors to Atlanta being selected as host.

Championship Tailgate Plaza (International Plaza – Saturday, Jan. 6 – Monday, Jan. 8, 2018) – Championship Tailgate Plaza is the gathering place for fans who want to experience extreme tailgating at the CFP Nation al Championship. With three days of outdoor activities, fans will have the opportunity to zip line, participate in free-fall stunt jumps and more.

Playoff Fan Central (Georgia World Congress Center – Saturday, Jan. 6 – Monday, Jan. 8, 2018) – Playoff Fan Central is a 300,000 square foot interactive experience that gives thousands of fans the opportunity to be a part of the CFP National Championship. The three-day, family-friendly event includes games, clinics, pep rallies, band performances, special guest appearances, autograph signings and exhibits celebrating college football and its history.

AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! (Centennial Park – Saturday, Jan. 6 – Monday, Jan. 8, 2018) – AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! Is the ultimate soundtrack of the CFP National Championship. The FREE outdoor concert series features a variety of national recording artists, including up-and-coming bands and long-time favorites.

Media Day (Philips Arena – Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018) – Media Day is free and open to the public. Fans are invited to watch as both teams and coaching staffs participate in media interviews prior to the national championship. Attendees can watch their favorite players while listening in on interviews via free headsets and observe more than 1,000 journalists interact with the teams.

Extra Yard 5K (Downtown Atlanta – Sunday, Jan. 7, 2018) – The Extra Yard 5K is the official road race of the College Football Playoff. All proceeds benefit Extra Yard for Teachers, the College Football Playoff Foundation’s primary platform that elevates the teaching profession by inspiring and empowering quality teachers.

Taste Of The Championship (Georgia Aquarium – Sunday, Jan. 7, 2018) – Taste of The Championship is a foodie’s dream. Ticket buyers will sample gourmet food and beverages from Atlanta’s most notable restaurants and breweries while celebrating teachers from across the United States.

Extra Yard Teachers Lounge (Georgia World Congress Center – Saturday, Jan. 6 – Sunday, Jan.7, 2018) – The Extra Yard for Teachers Lounge is a two-day experience specifically designed for current and aspiring teachers to be inspired, pampered and educated as part of the College Football Playoff Foundation’s Extra Yard for Teachers platform. Teachers will interact with special guests from both the educational and entertainment communities and receive special prizes and giveaways throughout the event.

“We’re very proud in the fact that our concentrated area of downtown, where all the venues and all the hotels are within walking distance of Mercedes-Benz Stadium,” said Corso. “It’s really the first time [this has happened]. The fans that come in could arrive at the busiest airport in the world, get a ride to downtown, check into their hotel and just walk for the whole 犀利士5mg
weekend and go to all the parties and all the experiences, and the game.”

This incredibly high walkability score will surely set the 2018 CFP Championship Game about from its predecessors, a notion that Hancock hammered home.

“We’re so delighted to be coming to Atlanta,” said Bill Hancock, the Executive Director of the College Football Playoff. “People know that the CFP National Championship will be yet another milestone in this community’s long and storied history of supporting college football. People will also become aware of Extra Yard for Teachers, the CFP’s way of supporting and recognizing K-12 teachers. These teachers work every day with one goal in mind: to prepare our children for life. There may not be a more important profession in our country.”

There will be no need to drive to Mercedes-Benz Stadium; it’s a short walk from everything the AFHC has planned. Fans will be able to save money on transit or hiring drivers because there are plenty of hotels and restaurant options surrounding the venue, all within walking distance.

Not only will downtown Atlanta’s compact setting benefit fans attending the 2018 CFP National Championship Game, but as the city learns and grows with each successful event, future experiences will be enhanced.

“We’re about to enter into a three-year run beginning Jan. 8, 2018 with the College Football Playoff National Championship Game and then the Super Bowl in 2019 and then a men’s Final Four in 2020,” said Corso. “And that is one heck of a run.”

It’s also an opportunity for both the city and the AFHC. The new, world class  Mercedes-Benz Stadium combined with the benefits or walkable venues could bring many more future events to the city.

“It becomes part of the pitch,” said Corso. “When you go and speak to a college football group or the NFL or the NCAA or any other major event stakeholder, you do have to communicate with them what the layout will be. What will the experience be for the fans when they come to your city as part of that event? The fact that we are confined and concentrated in downtown surrounded by thousands and thousands of premier hotel rooms really becomes an advantage for us.”

The fun will begin on Jan. 6, 2018 but the College Football Playoff National Championship will be just the beginning for championship events in downtown Atlanta.

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ATLANTA’S HOSTING OF THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP KICKS OFF WITH BIG COMMUNITY WIN

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