RENO, Nev. - Nevada Athletics made its final contribution of the 2025's College Football Playoff Foundation and Extra Yards for Teachers Week Wednesday, awarding a $1,000 grant to Dorothy Lemelson STEM Academy.

The funds will go towards supporting Lemelson's attendance initiative for the 2025-26 school year. The school has set a goal to reach over 85 percent attendance for this academic year, and through the week of Sept. 15-19 is well ahead of the pace at an attendance rate of 95.83 percent.

In a recent example of the school's initiative, Lemelson held an "Attendance Awareness" Spirit Week from Sept. 8-12. A daily raffle was held for all students present, with one student's name pulled to win a prize during each lunch period. The spirit week concluded with Movie Night after school that Friday.

The continued partnership between the Wolf Pack and Washoe County School District has helped to connect students and teachers to the University of Nevada. The collaboration has helped the University assist schools in need and award teachers for their exemplary service to Washoe County School District.

This year's annual eight-day celebration dedicated to honoring and recognizing great teachers concluded Sept. 20. The Wolf Pack held a recognition at Sept. 13's football game against Middle Tennessee. At that recognition, Alice Smith Elementary School was selected as the winner of the $5,000 donation, and presentations of six $1,000 grants were made to Donnor Springs Elementary School, Libby Booth Elementary School, Echo Loder Elementary School, Silver Lake Elementary School, Depaoli Middle School, and North Valleys High School.
Extra Yard for Teachers Week is a nationwide celebration of teachers, led by the CFP Foundation and uses the platform of college football to show appreciation for educators in communities across the country. Created in 2015, #ExtraYardWeek provides an opportunity for universities, coaches and student-athletes to take part in its mission of elevating the teaching profession by recognizing inspiring teachers at games, events and on social media. The Big Day for Teachers is the largest single day effort led by the CFP Foundation and in close partnership with sports, education and corporate partners to deliver resources and surprise teachers in schools across the country.

The College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation is the 501(c)3 non-profit organization serving as the community engagement arm of the College Football Playoff and works in partnership with institutions of higher education, sports organizations, corporations and non-profits to support educators and improve student outcomes. The purpose of the CFP Foundation lies in supporting PK-12 education by elevating the teaching profession. The CFP Foundation's primary platform, Extra Yards for Teachers, is dedicated to elevating the teaching profession by inspiring and empowering teachers in four core areas: resources, recognition, professional development, recruitment and retention.