Feb. 8, 2008

Basketball Hall-of-Famer Nancy Lieberman visits Arizona State University Monday February 11, to provide real-life lessons for financial success with the award-winning national education program, Playbook for Life. Playbook for Life is one of the many academic enriching opportunities available for Arizona State student-athletes. Arizona State has over 500 student athletes and ranked second in the Pac-10 last year for most Pac-10 All-Academic Selections. Developed by The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: HIG), working closely with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA®), Playbook for Life gives student-athletes and all college students the basic financial knowledge required to build a foundation for a bright financial future.

Lieberman, a former WNBA Phoenix Mercury and Old Dominion basketball player, U.S. Olympian, and former head coach of the Detroit Shock, will bring to life the Playbook's practical teachings during the campus presentation to be held at 7:00 p.m. in Gloria Dutson Theater, room 308C in Sun Devil Stadium. Through stories of her own monetary mishaps, Lieberman will encourage student-athletes to avoid making similar mistakes, and instead, take charge of their personal finances with a game plan for success.

"When I was in school, programs like Playbook weren't available - I had plenty of guidance on the court but no help in preventing bad decisions when it came to money," explained Lieberman, also a current ESPN and NBA TV basketball analyst. Referring to a poorly researched investment opportunity in the early years of her professional career, she added, "I was the proud owner of emus. I was told that the oil and feathers could be sold for a profit, so I took a shot. I was ill prepared and I was afraid to ask questions."

To prepare for the realities of life after graduation, many students need guidance on critical topics such as budgeting for housing and living costs, managing credit cards and student loan debt, and understanding saving and investing. A recent survey by The Hartford revealed that 47 percent of college students say their parents have had to bail them out of debt at some time. Moreover, 71 percent of college students are concerned about their ability to meet financial obligations, and 76 percent wish they had more help preparing for their financial future.

With the Playbook for Life, student-athletes and college students nationwide can find answers to many of the questions that shape the transition from college to career. The easy-to-use personal finance fundamentals on setting goals, creating a budget, establishing good credit, and starting a savings plan can help students learn responsible money management and overcome myriad financial challenges ahead. These lessons are presented not only at campus events, but also through the free resources found in the Playbook guidebook and on the Web site, www.playbook.thehartford.com.

"The Playbook for Life is a great example of how a company with commitment can make a difference in the lives of young people," said NCAA President Myles Brand. "We applaud The Hartford for embarking on this very important initiative and encouraging student-athletes and all college students to start planning for tomorrow, today."

Joining Lieberman in championing the benefits of sound financial planning at the Arizona State presentation is fellow former NCAA student-athlete Bill Zimmerman, who was an offensive lineman for Columbia University. Now a retirement solutions consultant with The Hartford, Zimmerman will deliver practical information to help students get their financial houses in order.

Lieberman, Zimmerman and other members of Team Hartford - a group of former student-athletes who have found success both in and out of sports - have brought the Playbook message to students at more than 30 colleges and universities since the program's inception in March 2005. Created by The Hartford as part of the company's philanthropic focus on education and its corporate partnership with the NCAA, the Playbook for Life has been widely praised by student-athletes, the general student body, coaches, teachers and parents as a valuable resource for helping all young adults make smart financial decisions.

The Hartford survey was conducted among 1,108 college students and 1,086 parents of college students nationwide by Impulse Research Corporation in February 2007 (with a margin of error of +/- 3 percent).

The NCAA is a membership-led nonprofit association of colleges and universities committed to supporting academic and athletic opportunities for more than 380,000 student-athletes at more than 1,000 member colleges and universities. Each year, more than 54,000 student-athletes compete in NCAA championships in Divisions I, II and III sports. Visit www.ncaa.org and www.ncaasports.com for more details about the Association, its goals and members and corporate partnerships that help support programs for student-athletes.

The Hartford, a Fortune 100 company, is one of the nation's largest diversified financial services companies, with 2007 revenues of $25.9 billion. The Hartford is a leading provider of investment products, life insurance and group benefits; automobile and homeowners products; and business property and casualty insurance. International operations are located in Japan, Brazil and the United Kingdom. The Hartford's Internet address is www.thehartford.com.