Dec 10, 2013

Mike Swider named as one of five Division III finalists for the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award

Boston, Mass. - Liberty Mutual Insurance today announced that Wheaton head football coach Mike Swider is among the five Division III finalists for the 2013 Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award, honoring coaches who best exemplify responsibility, integrity, sportsmanship and excellence both on and off the field.

Beginning today through December 22, fans can vote daily at CoachoftheYear.com or Facebook.com/LMCoachoftheYear. Thunder fans have a voice in the final outcome, with 20 percent of each finalist's ultimate standing dependent on fan votes. PLEASE NOTE: You must have a Facebook account to vote for the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award.

The other four Division III finalists for the 2013 Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award are, in alphabetical order: Jim Catanzaro, Lake Forest (Ill.); Pete Fredenburg, Mary Hardin-Baylor (Texas); Lance Leipold, Wisconsin-Whitewater and Mike Rader, Maryville (Tenn.). Past Division III winners have been Glenn Caruso, St. Thomas (Minn.) (2012, 2011 and 2010); Steve Staker, Coe (Iowa) (2009); Larry Kehres, Mount Union (Ohio) (2008); and John Gagliardi, St. John's (Minn.) (2007). Swider was previously a finalist for the award in 2007.

The winners, to be announced January 6, 2014, will be determined by a weighted voting system. Fan votes in this period will account for 20 percent of each coach's final score, with votes from two committees of college football media (25 percent) and College Football Hall of Fame players and coaches (55 percent) also being considered.

Swider, a 1977 graduate of Wheaton, is in his 18th year as head coach of the football program at his alma mater and his 29th season as a member of the Wheaton College football coaching staff. Since becoming head coach in 1996, Swider has posted a 148-43 record with a 77.5% winning percentage, which ranks him first all-time in both categories among Wheaton's 21 head football coaches. His winning percentage is also among the highest of any active Division III coach and the top-20 all-time of any coach in Division III history with 10 or more years of experience. During Swider's tenure as head coach, the program has reached the NCAA playoffs six times, won seven CCIW titles, produced 30 All-Americans and 208 All-Conference players.

Now in its eighth year, the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award is the only college football-coaching award that promotes both charity and scholarship through its winners. Since 2006, more than $1.8 million has been distributed to over 100 charities and colleges across the country through the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award program. Should Coach Swider win, he will receive $50,000 from Liberty Mutual to donate to his favorite charities and a $20,000 contribution to the Wheaton College Alumni Association for scholarship. Liberty Mutual Insurance will announce the four Coach of the Year winners prior to the BCS Championship game on January 6, 2014, in Newport Beach, Calif.

"Throughout the voting process, Wheaton and their fans and alumni showed tremendous support for Coach Swider, speaking volumes to his importance to the community both on and off the field," said James MacPhee, senior vice president and Chief Marketing Officer at Liberty Mutual Insurance. "Liberty Mutual Insurance is proud to recognize Coach Swider as one of this year's Division III finalists for the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award, celebrating his leadership and mentorship to his players."

In all, 25 finalists – 10 in the Football Bowl Subdivision and five each in the Football Championship Subdivision, Division II and Division III – were determined by an objective scoring model endorsed by the College Football Hall of Fame, incorporating such criteria as wins, team penalties, sportsmanship, academic performance by the student-athletes, and charitable commitments in their community and beyond. To qualify for the scoring model, each coach needed to finish among the top 15 in fan voting in his division from September 24 until December 3.Print Friendly Version