The Green Bay Packers will honor Pro Football Hall of Famer Willie Davis with a $250,000 grant towards the establishment of the Willie Davis Financial Trading and Investment Laboratory at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay (UWGB) at the Cofrin School of Business.
The late Davis passed away in April this year. He played 10 seasons with the Packers and was a member of all five of Vince Lombardi's NFL title-winning teams and played in Super Bowls I and II.
“This is a wonderful tribute to Willie. He was a Hall of Fame player who became a great businessman and entrepreneur,” said Green Bay Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy. “Willie will always be tied to one of the greatest football dynasties, the Vince Lombardi era. Willie learned valuable, lifelong lessons from Coach Lombardi and applied these lessons to all aspects of his life. Willie would be very proud to know that his legacy will promote financial literacy and help good students become great."
Off the field, Davis was known for his passion for education and business. He earned his Masters in Business Administration in 1968.
According to Cofrin School of Business Dean Matt Dornbush, the Willie Davis Financial Trading and Investment Laboratory will provide students with financial literacy and research resources.
“This is more than a computer lab; it’s a sophisticated environment where students not only learn about, but actively engage in, conventional and socially responsible investment strategies,” Dornbush said. “Students will experience the world of investment in real-time, with real money, and real accountability. We will leverage the lab, the talent of the Cofrin School of Business, and community partnership to strengthen financial literacy within NE Wisconsin. Ultimately, we will be accelerating professional development, social responsibility, and forging skills that will benefit learners for a lifetime.”
