Independence Bowl to Donate $26,000 to Local Teachers in 2026 Through Extra Yard for Teachers Partnership

SHREVEPORT, La. (Sept. 15, 2026) – The Extra Yard for Teachers Big Day is today, September 15, and the Independence Bowl is going big for local teachers once again in 2026, set to donate $26,000 to local teachers this year through its partnership with the College Football Playoff Foundation’s Extra Yard for Teachers.

Today, on the Big Day, the Bowl donated a total of $1,000 to two teachers’ projects on DonorsChoose.org – Mrs. Redmon from Stockwell Place Elementary School in Bossier Parish and Mrs. Graham from Caddo Parish Magnet High School in Caddo Parish. 

The Independence Bowl will also donate $1,000 DonorsChoose gift cards to 25 local educators at public schools in Caddo, Bossier, DeSoto, Red River and Webster Parishes. Fans can nominate deserving educators from Monday, September 21 through Friday, October 30 at RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com/EYFT.

“Supporting our local teachers and classrooms is deeply personal to me, and the Independence Bowl Foundation is proud to continue our strong commitment to education in Northwest Louisiana,” said 2026 Independence Bowl Foundation Chairman Keith Burton. “Teachers shape the future of our community every single day. Partnering with the College Football Playoff Foundation’s Extra Yard for Teachers allows us to give back to these dedicated educators and provide them with the resources they need to make a lasting impact on their students.”

The bowl’s partnership with Flying Heart Brewing & Pub made a portion of the $25,000 possible through five Pizza & Pints for a Purpose nights at Flying Heart between May and September. Flying Heart donated a portion of its proceeds from each night to the Independence Bowl’s Extra Yard for Teachers initiative, and teachers who presented their teacher ID received 10 percent off pizzas. Through these fundraising nights, Flying Heart contributed $1,278.51 to the Independence Bowl’s Extra Yard for Teachers initiative.

“Flying Heart Brewing & Pub has been an outstanding community partner for the Independence Bowl and our local educators,” said Burton. “Through the Pizza & Pints for a Purpose nights, they’ve shown true dedication to supporting our area educators and giving back to Northwest Louisiana classrooms. We are grateful for their generosity and continued commitment to our Extra Yard for Teachers initiative.”

The teachers receiving the donations will be announced in November and recognized at the 50th Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl on Tuesday, December 22 at 7:30 p.m. In addition to the $1,000 donations, each educator selected will receive tickets to the 2026 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl.

Partnering with the College Football Playoff Foundation, the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl has donated over $142,000 to local teachers and schools since 2021. In 2025, the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl donated $40,000 to local educators in Northwest Louisiana. After this year, the Independence Bowl will have donated $168,000 to local teachers and education since 2021.

Programs like Extra Yard for Teachers are also made possible by the Independence Bowl’s 1st & Give partners. Expand Energy, which operates natural gas production across Northwest Louisiana and is anchored by a regional office in Mansfield, has partnered with the Independence Bowl Foundation for the last two years – a partnership that helps support the bowl’s 1st & Give initiatives. 

To learn more about the Independence Bowl Foundation’s 1st & Give program and all of its initiatives, visit IndependenceBowl.org/1st-and-Give. 

ABOUT THE RADIANCE TECHNOLOGIES INDEPENDENCE BOWL™

Established in 1976, the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl™ is college football’s 11th most historic bowl game, with the 50th anniversary game set for Tuesday, December 22, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. CST on ESPN. Radiance Technologies is the bowl’s title sponsor through at least the 2027 Bowl Season. 

The Independence Bowl Foundation is a prominent presence in the Shreveport-Bossier City area throughout the year, hosting events to enhance the economic impact and growth of our community. The Mission of the Independence Bowl is to attract and provide quality, nationally recognized football competition oriented to the Ark-La-Tex region. For more information, visit RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com or follow the bowl on Facebook, X and Instagram at @IndyBowl.