SIOUX FALLS, S.D.–A CUSO and a hockey team here have issued a joint statement apologizing for an event during which teachers got on their knees on an ice rink and tried to grab dollar bills for their classrooms, video of which went viral and drew criticisms and was mocked around the world.
More than 14-million people have now viewed the video of the competition sponsored by CU Mortgage Direct during a Sioux Falls Stampede hockey game. As CUToday.info reported here, in the “Dash for Cash” 10 local teachers were pitted against each other as the scrambled to grab the $5,000 worth of dollar bills to be used fund school supplies and classroom repairs. The teachers had less than five minutes to grab as much money as they could.
The video drew widespread criticism from cross various social media platforms, with the competition called “dehumanizing” and “dystopian” as well as a U.S. version of Squid Game, in which the show’s characters compete in deadly games to win a giant piggy bank full of cash. Both state and national elected officials also weighed in with their own criticisms.
Intent Was Good
In a follow up statement, the Stampede and CU Mortgage Direct said of the first-time promotion, “Although our intent was to provide a positive and fun experience for teachers, we can see how it appears to be degrading and insulting towards the participating teachers and the teaching profession as a whole. We deeply regret and apologize to all teachers for any embarrassment this may have caused.”
The organizations said the intent was to help raise funds for area teachers and their classrooms, and that the Stampede received 31 applications, with 10 teachers randomly selected to participate. The team and CU Mortgage Direct added that each teacher was profiled and introduced prior to the event as we highlighted their school and what the funds would be used for.
Additional Funds Donated
“We take our role in the community seriously and work hard to support area non-profit groups in a variety of ways,” the two organizations said in their statement. “Through the incredible support of our fans and corporate partners we are able to raise over $200,000 annually for local charities.
“Together with CU Mortgage Direct we will be providing an additional $500 to those teachers that participated in the event as well as providing $500 to those additional 21 applicants that were not able to participate,” the statement continued. “In total, the Stampede and CU Mortgage Direct will contribute an additional $15,500 to area teachers.”
CU Mortgage Direct and the Stampede concluded their statement by saying they will have no further comment at this time.