Press Releases

Liberty Mutual Coach Of The Year Greg Schiano Continues Civic Stewardship With Donations To Athletes In Action And Rutgers Alumni Relations Program

April 25, 2007

Boston, MA – Continuing the charitable legacy that helped earn him 2006 Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year honors, Rutgers University Head Football Coach Greg Schiano recently donated the Award’s philanthropic monies to Athletes in Action and the Rutgers University Alumni Relations Program.  Coach Schiano presented checks to the groups at halftime of the April 21 Scarlet-White spring football game.

“The Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award is special because it is much more than a personal accolade and a trophy,” said Schiano.  “It empowers charitable organizations to continue and enhance their vital work, and provides educational opportunity through scholarship, all of which makes our communities better places to live and to learn.”

Athletes in Action, which exists to be a spiritual resource to those influenced by sport worldwide, is one of two charitable organizations chosen by Coach Schiano to receive $50,000 gifts from Liberty Mutual. (Coach Schiano will present another $50,000 to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children later this spring.)  Athletes in Action @ Rutgers University Director John Maurer said the donation will help fund ongoing outreach events and activities on campus, scholarships for conferences and camps, and various community service projects.

“We congratulate Coach Schiano for winning the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award, and thank him and Liberty Mutual for their generous support of Athletes in Action,” added Maurer.  “This donation represents an investment in the lives of the student-athletes and coaches at Rutgers as well as the many that they will serve through their athletic platform.”

The Rutgers University Alumni Relations program received $20,000 to enhance alumni programming and its scholarship activities.  “We are grateful to both Coach Schiano and Liberty Mutual.  This generous scholarship money will allow Rutgers students and alumni to benefit from the level of excellence Coach Schiano and our student-athletes have achieved,” said Donna Thornton, associate vice president of Alumni Relations

The Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award honors the college football coach who best exemplifies responsibility and excellence on and off the field of play.  He is selected based on professional competence and achievement, development of student-athletes, and civic and charitable stewardship. 

Coach Schiano won the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award for leading Rutgers to an 11-2 record in 2006, punctuated by a resounding 37-10 Texas Bowl victory over Kansas State, and finishing the season ranked 12th in both the USA Today and Associated Press polls.  Off the field, Coach Schiano demonstrates great commitment to his players’ success in the classroom and in the community.  Each student-athlete meets daily with their position coach and/or student advisor to ensure they are current with their academic responsibilities.  He also mobilizes his players and coaches for positive impact in the community through everyday, practical ways.  For example, team members visit the local middle schools where players speak on the importance of education and establishing a balance in life.  Under his tenure, all proceeds from the annual Scarlet-White spring game support children’s wards at New Brunswick hospitals.

“Coach Schiano’s performance in 2006 embodies all that makes the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award different from all others:  admirable sportsmanship and responsibility to his student-athletes and community, accomplishing all while delivering outstanding results on the field,” said Greg Gordon, Liberty Mutual vice president and manager, Consumer Marketing.

About Liberty Mutual Group
“Helping people live safer, more secure lives” since 1912, Liberty Mutual Group (www.libertymutual.com) is a leading multi-line insurer in the U.S. whose largest line of business is personal auto based on 2005 direct written premium.  A top ten provider of auto and home insurance to individuals, Liberty Mutual is an industry leader in affinity partnerships, offering its personal lines products to employees and members of more than 9,800 companies, credit unions, and alumni and professional associations.  Liberty Mutual Group ranks 95th on the Fortune 500 list of largest corporations in the United States.  The company, headquartered in Boston, Mass., employs over 39,000 people in more than 900 offices throughout the world.

Media Contact:

Glenn Greenberg (617) 574-5874 glenn.greenberg@libertymutual.com