Alec Ingold has a passion for finance and football that has translated into success on and off the field, not only for him but also for his football teammates. Now the Las Vegas Raiders fullback and team nominee for the 2020 NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year Award is bringing financial literacy lessons ‒ honed from his University of Wisconsin personal finance degree and experience ‒ to Nevada students. He created the Alec Ingold Mini Money Camp and is partnering with Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada to offer the 14-part virtual series to 8th through 12th grade students throughout the state. The program is being offered through the end of the school year.
“I believe that financial literacy is the key to reducing the wage gap in America. Every kid should have the opportunity to learn how money works and build strong financial habits at an early age,” said Ingold. “Junior Achievement is a great platform to try and help kids realize the importance of making smart decisions for their future today.”
Money Mini Camp shares important financial life skills and ties various non-football career pathways within the NFL by exposing students to ways they can be part of the team that makes game day happen, such as accounting, marketing and public relations. Students will hear about these options and the education tract to achieve them, education expectations for Raiders job opportunities, managing finances and related lessons. Ingold has recruited Raiders teammates and other NFL athletes to join him by sharing their personal experience about the virtual series’ various topics in 12 short video lessons, which supplement teacher-led or self-guided materials. In addition to Ingold, A.J. Cole, Arden Key, Brandon Copeland, Isaiah Johnson, Marcus Mariota, Tanner Muse, Nate Peterman, Hunter Renfrow and Trent Sieg recorded videos.
“I’m hoping my Mini Money Camp event helps some kids realize that even if you get your dream job of working in the NFL, you still have to be smart with how you view money and take ownership of your financial future,” said Ingold.
Money Mini Camp culminates in the partnership with JA Finance Park Virtual, Junior Achievement’s interactive online personal financial planning exercise. Ingold will host a “Tips Before You Play the Game of Life” virtual video session with students before they play the JA Finance Park Virtual Game. During this simulation, students receive adult personas, a role within an NFL organization, income, marital status, credit score, and even kids of their own. Students are then tasked with balancing a budget that incorporates more than 26 different financial decisions and bills that are part of managing a household.
A lottery will be held for up to 100 students who complete all components of Money Mini Camp to go to a Meet & Greet with Ingold and other players in June.
Money Mini Camp is being offered to students through their schools completely free of charge. Teachers can still register their class or school for participation for the limited remaining openings by contacting Kelly Guzman at Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada at kelly.deguzman@ja.org or 702-214-0502.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Alec. His Money Mini Camp and Raiders affiliation creates a more personal, interesting and realistic way for students to relate to various career opportunities, while gaining real-world financial literacy lessons that will benefit them and ultimately their families,” said Michelle Jackson, president and CEO of Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada. “It’s a perfect complement to our various financial education programming, particularly JA Finance Park and also the JA Inspire online and interactive career exploration program on May 4, when Alex will be our keynote speaker.”
About Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada
Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada, Inc. was founded locally in 1996. The organization is dedicated to providing financial education to students K-12, with a curriculum that spans from budget management to economic principals, workforce skills and credit. Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada reaches more than 20,000 students annually in the Las Vegas area with the help of 285 businesses and 6,800 business role models. For more information visit https://jasnv.org/ and follow on Instagram and Facebook.
About Junior Achievement USA® (JA)
Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. JA programs are delivered by corporate and community volunteers, and provide relevant, hands-on experiences that give students from kindergarten through high school knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship. Today, JA reaches 4.5 million students per year in 115 markets across the United States, with an additional 5.8 million students served by operations in 120 other countries worldwide. Visit www.ja.org for more information.
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