Biggert Joins Soccer Greats Cobi Jones & Brian McBride to Teach Financial Literacy

           Chicago, IL –U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL-13^th) kicked off this April’s Financial Literacy Month events by giving Hinsdale South High School students a chance to put their financial literacy skills to the test with the help of soccer greats Cobi Jones and Brian McBride.  Students played a fast-paced round of Financial Soccer, a new video game incorporating the lessons taught through Practical Money Skills for Life, a financial education program sponsored by Visa.  The event was hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and held as part of Money Smart Week, an annual financial literacy initiative aimed at teaching practical money management skills to America’s students.

           “In today’s increasingly complex financial marketplace, it’s critically important that students enter the workforce with the knowledge and tools they need to make sound economic decisions, manage risk, and avoid financial pitfalls,” said Biggert, co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Financial & Economic Literacy and senior member of both the House Committee on Financial Services and the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.  “Fun and engaging tools like Financial Soccer are a great way to help set today’s youth on the path to a more prosperous future as business leaders and entrepreneurs.  I’m thrilled to be joining soccer greats like Brian McBride and Cobi Jones to kick off Money Smart Week with the students from Hinsdale South.”

           “For over a decade, Visa has been committed to promoting financial literacy and we are proud to have Brian McBride, Cobi Jones, Rep. Biggert and John Rogers with us as we work to promote the importance of financial education,” said Jason Alderman, Senior Director of Global Financial Education, Visa Inc. 

           Approximately 40 students from Hinsdale South played the FIFA World Cup™ branded educational video game, which allows players to advance the ball down the field with each correct answer.  Teams were coached by McBride and Jones, as well as Biggert and John Rogers Jr. who chairs the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability and is Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Ariel Investments.  A FIFA Partner since 2007, Visa offers Financial Soccer free online at www.financialsoccer.com.  Students also received a copy of the game and autographed photos of the soccer players.

            “Financial Soccer provides today’s students with the opportunity to learn about the financial world in ways that were never available to me when I was younger,” said McBride.

            “The game is an excellent tool for learning money management skills,” said Jones. “These are life-long lessons kids need to learn early on.”

            Biggert said that event is just the first of several which she will attend during this year’s financial literacy month.  Her Congressional Caucus on Financial & Economic Literacy also will host an annual Financial Literacy Day Fair on Capitol Hill on April 15^th to promote policies and programs across the nation designed to improve the financial skills of American students and consumers.

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