PHOTOS: David & Nicole Tepper Foundation and Carolina Panthers join Classroom Central for 4th annual backpack build

Schools across North and South Carolina competed in the 2025 Carolina Panthers Spirit Rocks! Competition presented by Lowe's to celebrate the Panthers' season kickoff.

The Carolina Panthers, The David & Nicole Tepper Foundation and Classroom Central hosted a carpool takeover and high-spirited backpack distribution event this week at Briarwood Elementary School in Charlotte to celebrate the start of the school year. The event, along with one held in Mullins, S.C., on August 14, is part of a broader backpack and school supplies distribution benefiting thousands of students in high-need communities across eight school districts in the Carolinas. The program is funded by The David & Nicole Tepper Foundation, the Carolina Panthers and the John M. Belk Endowment in partnership with Classroom Central, a Charlotte-based non-profit that is helping coordinate the multi-district distribution.

Ahead of their joint practice in Houston, the Panthers were joined by the local Police Athletic League (PAL) Panthers for a scrimmage at Bank of America Stadium.

On June 13th, the Carolina Panthers hosted the team's annual Nike 11-ON. High school powers Chambers, Monroe, Hickory and Westside competed in a 7-on-7 passing tournament plus lineman and skill competitions. The tournament concluded with the Westside Rams crowned as this years Carolina Panthers Nike 11-ON champion.

The Carolina Panthers and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) Athletics brought the CMS Girls High School Flag Football League Championship back to Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, May 18. The Palisades Pumas defeated the Butler Bulldogs, 12-6, in the final match-up to emerge as champions for the second-straight year.

The introductory press conference for the Keep Pounding High School Classic Presented by Belk took place at Bank of America Stadium on May 7, 2025. This year's event features a double header with matchups between the Hough Huskies and the South Pointe Stallions, along with the defending state champions Grimsley Whirlies and West Charlotte Lions. Each team's head coach and impact player had the opportunity to address the excitement of playing in the game with members of the media from across North and South Carolina.

On March 13th, York County started their inaugural season of girls flag football in middle schools across 4 different school districts. 14 teams are participating and played their first week of games at Dutchman Creek Middle School in Rock Hill, SC. Teams engaged in a dynamic tunnel run entrance with Sir Purr and were given NFL style introductions. Additionally, the Carolina Panthers supported the league with $49,000 in grant funding to kickstart the growth of girls flag football in South Carolina.

The Regional Spelling Bee Championship hosted by the Carolina Panthers for North and South Carolina. Elementary and Middle School students up to 8th grade. Top finishers are invited to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.

Panthers and GMC representatives presented Capone with a commemorative trophy and a $2,000 grant check to support the Weddington High School athletics program.

The Carolina Panthers in partnership with GMC recognized outstanding coaches from across the Carolinas at the last home game of the 2024 season. The Panthers High School Coach of the Week award recognizes a select group of high school football coaches in North and South Carolina who make a meaningful difference in the lives of their players, schools, and communities. The ten high school coaches who were selected as a part of the class of 2024 include:

• Andy Capone: Weddington High School

• Bobby Collins: South Pointe High School

• David Baker: Hough High School

• Joe Glass: Hickory High School

• DJ McFadden: Independence High School

• Jake Morris: Dorman High School

• Mark Barnes: Sumter High School

• Ryan Habich: Watauga High School

• Scott Riley: Cleveland High School

• Steve Watson: JL Mann High School

Nearly 300 special guests came together for a JOYFUL evening at The Biltmore in Asheville this week thanks to The David & Nicole Tepper Foundation (DNTF), Panthers, and Coca-Cola Consolidated. DNTF and Panthers Charities community partners including MANNA Foodbank, World Central Kitchen, Global Empowerment Mission, the American Red Cross, Samaritan's Purse, and Team Rubicon, and Coca-Cola Consolidated community partners including Haywood Christian Ministry and Biltmore Church, joined Western NC first responders at the appreciation event, all of whom have worked tirelessly to address the immediate and long-term needs of the region following Hurricane Helene.

Hundreds of children, teachers, and administrators and staff from W.D. Williams and North Cove elementary schools in Western North Carolina received special gifts and enjoyed a holiday show this week when The David and Nicole Tepper Foundation, Carolina Panthers, and Coca-Cola Consolidated brought Joy to the Carolinas to the region