BOSTON, Mass. – The U.S. Department of Justice reports that 797,500 children under the age of 18 were reported missing in one year – that's more than 2,100 kids each day. Thankfully, many of those children were recovered quickly, but there are still those who remain missing. Today, Rutgers University Head Football Coach Greg Schiano called for a blitz against this issue by donating $50,000 of his Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award charitable prize to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children ® (NCMEC).

"Family is everything, and the thought of a child abducted from his or her family is horrific," said Schiano. "More important than the honor of being the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year, I am grateful to Liberty Mutual for creating a unique award that provides real dollars to attack real problems in our society."

NCMEC prides itself on maximizing every donation it receives. In fact, 93 cents of every dollar donated goes to support programs that help prevent child abduction and sexual exploitation; help find missing children; and assist victims of child abduction and sexual exploitation, their families, and the professionals who serve them.

"Coach Schiano is widely recognized as a hero on the field, but his commitment to the safety of children proves he is a hero off the field as well," said Ernie Allen, NCMEC president and CEO. "This generous contribution in support of our efforts demonstrates the ability of one person to make a difference, and sends the message that we all share a responsibility to better protect our children."

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 achievements in coaching ability; sportsmanship, professionalism and integrity; student-athlete well-being, and civic and charitable contributions.

Coach Schiano won the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award for leading Rutgers to an 11-2 record in 2006, 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, and he mobilizes his players and coaches for positive impact in the community through everyday, practical ways.

As the winner, Coach Schiano is recognized on a trophy on permanent display at the National College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind., and grant and scholarship money is awarded by Liberty Mutual to support his civic endeavors and the alumni association of his school. Earlier this spring, Coach Schiano presented $50,000 to Athletes in Action and $20,000 to the Rutgers University Alumni Relations Program.

"Coach Schiano's commitment to community is inspirational and sincere," said Greg Gordon, Liberty Mutual vice president and manager, Consumer Marketing. "He relishes in his responsibility to make Rutgers a football community others wish to emulate: built on talent, sportsmanship and integrity; and his responsibility to keep families and communities intact and secure through support of such organizations as NCMEC."

Source: Rutgers Sports Communications Office