Hockey team apologizes after ‘dash for cash’ promotion had teachers scramble for money
A hockey team’s promotion forcing teachers to get on their hands and knees to scoop up money drew scorn on social media — leading to an apology from the South Dakota program.
As part of the Sioux Falls Stampede hockey team’s “Dash for Cash” game Dec. 11, teachers put on helmets as they scrambled to collect dollar bills in the middle of the ice rink. The teachers were shown in a viral video stuffing money in their shirts as the crowd applauded.
The promotion was put on through the hockey team and local lender CU Mortgage Bank as a way to help teachers fund their classrooms The teachers each came away with between $378 and $616, the Argus Leader reported.
But the game was referred to by many people as demeaning.
“Teachers, on their hands and knees, grabbing for $1 bills to buy classroom supplies, for the amusement of a crowd,” one Twitter user said. “Yeah, totally uplifting and fun, not at all totally dystopian.”
“This is gross. The money could’ve just been donated without making these teachers demean themselves,” another user said.
Others pointed out the average salary for teachers in South Dakota. Teachers in the state earn an average of $48,984 annually, which is 50th in the nation, according to the National Education Association.
South Dakota State Rep.Erin Healy, D-Sioux Falls, was among those who panned the promotion. She said teachers should not have to “grovel” over cash for their classrooms, Dakota News Now reported.
“It really just shows how truly broken our system is,” Healy told Dakota News Now. “Events like this aren’t going to really solve our funding problem.”
Two days after the event, the Stampede and CU Mortgage Direct said in a joint statement they “deeply regret and apologize to all teachers for any embarrassment.”
Each of the teachers who participated will receive an additional $500, they said in the statement.
“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,” the team and mortgage lender said.