Swertfager plans to follow in her parents footsteps to become a teacher and coach.
Swertfager Receives Go Teach Dr Pepper Tuition Award
Friday, December 18, 2020 | General, Softball
Friday morning it was announced that Theresa Swertfager was awarded $2,500 in tuition support through the Go Teach initiative presented by the College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation's Extra Yard for Teachers & Dr Pepper. Dr Pepper and the CFP Foundation will award a collective $1.5 million in tuition over the next six years to support student-athletes looking to become teachers.
Swertfager, a four-year member of the Gators softball program, graduated in the summer of 2019 with her bachelor's degree in education and is currently pursuing a master's degree in physical education at Manhattanville College, while also interning at Scarsdale Middle School.
"This award means so much to me and my family because it helps me fulfill my dreams of becoming a physical education teacher and coach." Swertfager said. "I grew up with education in my blood.
"My grandfather was a principle; my mother is a physical education teacher as well as a state championship coach; and my father is a state championship wrestling coach. So, at a young age, I knew that education was the route I wanted to take to impact children's lives in a positive way and the University of Florida gave me the educational foundation that I needed to become a teacher who inspires students to reach their full potential."
In line with following her parent's career paths, the Katonah, N.Y. native is making an impact at her alma mater, John Jay Cross River High School, as the head coach of the winter track program and as an assistant coach within the softball program. She's also an assistant coach for the volleyball program at Hendrick Hudson High School and is a national club volleyball coach at the Downstate Athletic Center.
In addition, Swertfager is four-time SEC Academic Honor Roll member.
2020 CFP Foundation & Dr. Pepper Go Teach Award Recipients - Southeastern Conference
Each SEC institution selected one student-athlete to receive a Dr Pepper Go Teach Tuition award valued at $2,500. This program is open to student-athletes across all institutional sponsored sports programs and academic classifications who are enrolled in or applying to enroll in a teacher preparation program, an affiliated education program or an alternative teacher certificate program. The College Football Playoffs Foundation will select one recipient to receive the grand prize of an additional $20,000 ($22,500 total).
The Dr. Pepper Go Teach Grand Prize winner will be announced on SEC Nation during the SEC Championship on December 19, 2020.
About the College Football Playoff Foundation and Extra Yard for Teachers
The CFP Foundation is the community-engagement arm of the College Football Playoff, supporting education across the country. The CFP Foundation's primary cause platform, Extra Yard for Teachers, is dedicated to elevating the teaching profession by inspiring and empowering teachers 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. To learn more, visit cfp-foundation.org and follow Extra Yard for Teachers (@CFPExtraYard) on social media.
About Dr Pepper
Dr Pepper, a brand of Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP), is the oldest major soft drink in the United States. Since 1885, the 23 flavors of Dr Pepper have earned legions of fans that enjoy its unique, refreshing taste. The brand is available in Regular, Diet, Caffeine Free, Cream Soda and Cherry varieties. For more information, visit DrPepper.com or keurigdrpepper.com. For the brand's latest news and updates, follow Dr Pepper at Facebook.com/DrPepper or Twitter.com/DrPepper.
FOLLOW THE GATORS
FloridaGators.com
Florida Softball on Twitter
Head Coach Tim Walton on Twitter
Florida Softball on Facebook
Swertfager, a four-year member of the Gators softball program, graduated in the summer of 2019 with her bachelor's degree in education and is currently pursuing a master's degree in physical education at Manhattanville College, while also interning at Scarsdale Middle School.
"This award means so much to me and my family because it helps me fulfill my dreams of becoming a physical education teacher and coach." Swertfager said. "I grew up with education in my blood.
"My grandfather was a principle; my mother is a physical education teacher as well as a state championship coach; and my father is a state championship wrestling coach. So, at a young age, I knew that education was the route I wanted to take to impact children's lives in a positive way and the University of Florida gave me the educational foundation that I needed to become a teacher who inspires students to reach their full potential."
In line with following her parent's career paths, the Katonah, N.Y. native is making an impact at her alma mater, John Jay Cross River High School, as the head coach of the winter track program and as an assistant coach within the softball program. She's also an assistant coach for the volleyball program at Hendrick Hudson High School and is a national club volleyball coach at the Downstate Athletic Center.
In addition, Swertfager is four-time SEC Academic Honor Roll member.
2020 CFP Foundation & Dr. Pepper Go Teach Award Recipients - Southeastern Conference
| Alabama | Ariyah Copeland | Women's Basketball |
| Arkansas | Alyssa Lemon | Swimming and Diving |
| Auburn | Jessica Merritt | Women's Swimming and Diving |
| Florida | Theresa Swertfager | Softball |
| Georgia | Jordyn Pedersen | Gymnastics |
| Kentucky | Madisyn Peeples | Women's Track and Field/Cross Country |
| LSU | Amanda Doyle | Softball |
| Mississippi State | Broadie King | Football |
| Missouri | Karina Liz | Women's Cross Country, Track & Field |
| Ole Miss | Lindsey Johnson | Softball |
| South Carolina | Kaden Briggs | Men's Track and Field |
| Tennessee | Danielle Mahaffey | Volleyball |
| Texas A&M | Samantha Siebenaller | Women's Swimming |
| Vanderbilt | Bryanna Leyen | Bowling |
Each SEC institution selected one student-athlete to receive a Dr Pepper Go Teach Tuition award valued at $2,500. This program is open to student-athletes across all institutional sponsored sports programs and academic classifications who are enrolled in or applying to enroll in a teacher preparation program, an affiliated education program or an alternative teacher certificate program. The College Football Playoffs Foundation will select one recipient to receive the grand prize of an additional $20,000 ($22,500 total).
The Dr. Pepper Go Teach Grand Prize winner will be announced on SEC Nation during the SEC Championship on December 19, 2020.
About the College Football Playoff Foundation and Extra Yard for Teachers
The CFP Foundation is the community-engagement arm of the College Football Playoff, supporting education across the country. The CFP Foundation's primary cause platform, Extra Yard for Teachers, is dedicated to elevating the teaching profession by inspiring and empowering teachers 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. To learn more, visit cfp-foundation.org and follow Extra Yard for Teachers (@CFPExtraYard) on social media.
About Dr Pepper
Dr Pepper, a brand of Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP), is the oldest major soft drink in the United States. Since 1885, the 23 flavors of Dr Pepper have earned legions of fans that enjoy its unique, refreshing taste. The brand is available in Regular, Diet, Caffeine Free, Cream Soda and Cherry varieties. For more information, visit DrPepper.com or keurigdrpepper.com. For the brand's latest news and updates, follow Dr Pepper at Facebook.com/DrPepper or Twitter.com/DrPepper.
FOLLOW THE GATORS
FloridaGators.com
Florida Softball on Twitter
Head Coach Tim Walton on Twitter
Florida Softball on Facebook
Players Mentioned
INF
/ SoftballFlorida Softball | Kirsti Merritt's INCREDIBLE Catch Earns #1 on SportsCenter's Top 10 Plays
Wednesday, December 10
Florida Football | Honorary 2-Bits | Stacey Nelson & Hannah Rogers
Saturday, December 06
Florida Softball | Kendra Falby + Korbe Otis Set to REUNITE on the AUSL's Cascade ✨
Tuesday, December 02
Florida Softball | Gators Provide Thanksgiving Baskets to Local Families 🦃
Wednesday, November 26
