Feb. 1, 2011

Pizza Hut, home of America's favorite pizza, has also been the Official Pizza of UT Athletics since 2005, and through that relationship, Pizza Hut is now able to reach out to the Austin community and help young students build strong academic futures.

Through two promotions, Pizza Hut raised a total of $14,431 for the University of Texas Neighborhood Longhorns Program (NLP). NLP staff members were presented with a check in that amount at the Men's Basketball game against Connecticut in early January.

NLP is an educational incentive and outreach program started in 1991 by UT Athletics.

During the 2010 Texas Football season -- home and away -- Pizza Hut donated $100 to the NLP every time the Longhorns scored a touchdown. In addition, Pizza Hut offered a local promotion in 34 area locations. Every time someone placed an order for their new Stuffed Jalapeño Pizza Rollers, $1 was donated back to the NLP.

"This is an exciting time to have Pizza Hut join the effort of 'Linking Community with Education' by providing educational opportunities for the children in our community," said Celina Ruiz-Snowden, NLP executive director. "Thank you, Pizza Hut, for helping the community give the gift of education by supporting our program. Hook 'em on education."

Although originally born into the UT Athletics family, NLP is currently housed in UT's Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, and more than 85 percent of the program's funding comes through fundraising initiatives.

The NLP provides services to more than 5,000 students in second through eighth grades at 30 schools throughout the Austin community. With a partnership between the Austin Independent School District and UT Athletics, NLP is able to offer children real incentives to excel academically. Through various reading and leadership programs, students are rewarded with opportunities to attend UT sporting events, and even meet with coaches and student-athletes.