EKS Group
DETROIT (3/18/2015) -- A number of Titan student-athletes came together on Tuesday evening and it had nothing to do about sports as the University of Detroit Mercy Department of Athletics held a financial management seminar entitled "The Money Game".
"I was very happy that we were able to have Eric come in and get a great turn out by our student-athletes," said
Amy Gasahl '11 (MBA), Director of Athletic Academics, SA Welfare & Eligibility. "How to manage our finances is something everyone should learn about and it was great for student-athletes to see what they can do right now to start setting themselves up for successful future outside of college, which comes more quickly than we think."
On hand to lead the speaking was Eric Smith, the founder of The EKS Group, LLC, and creator of The Financial Literacy Coach and The Money Game, as he came to campus to talk to the Titan student athletes about the importance of financial management.
"Most people probably come from a background like I came from in that in that their parents didn't really have a budget and a plan and so we never learn how to make one," said Smith to the student-athletes.
Smith is part of a group that has made numerous presentations across the country to not only NCAA institutions, but NFL and NBA affiliations as well. He held two classes on Tuesday inside the Chemistry Building, giving most of the Detroit student-athletes a chance to learn about the finance industry.
His lessons centered on spending, saving, and giving and what are the important things to look for when setting up a plan for financial success and stability. With crowd participation, video presentations and open dialogue, Smith engaged with the audience at both sessions and stressed the idea that financial success can be achieved at any level.
"Graduation is about six weeks away for me and the rest of the seniors and being able to understand our finances will help us get off to a good start," said senior
Joe Gifford of the men's lacrosse team. "Learning how to invest and how to save and just understanding our finances will help us be very successful."
"It is definitely something that everyone wants to know about, but we just don't take the time to learn it," said redshirt junior
Sara Zawacki of the women's soccer team. "I really like the fact that the University took the time to put this together to give us a different perspective on our finances and what we can do to take control of them."
The seminar is the latest in a number of programs that the UDM Department of Athletics has in place to help guide the Titan student-athletes through college, graduate, and have success in the next phase of their lives.
