Oct. 2, 2008

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern head football coach Pat Fitzgerald, who has guided the Wildcats to a perfect start in 2008, is among the top-25 vote-getters for this year's Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award. Fans can vote for Fitzgerald by visiting Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year voting.

The Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year is awarded to the college football coach who best demonstrates sportsmanship, integrity, responsibility, and excellence on and off the field. It is also the only coaching honor that gives fans a vote in the outcome.

The Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year winners are celebrated in a permanent exhibit at the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind. More than just a trophy, the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award celebrates the positive impact coaches have on the lives of young people, their families and their communities.

As a way of rewarding the accomplishments of coaches, Liberty Mutual donates $50,000 on behalf of each winner to the charitable organizations of their choice and a $20,000 grant to the winning schools' alumni association for enrichment or scholarship activities. To date, Liberty Mutual has donated $400,000 to local charities and alumni associations on behalf of Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award winners -- a total that will climb to $680,000 after this season.