National College Football Analyst Kirk Herbstreit to Lead Panel of Judges for "Top 10 Responsible Sports Moments" of 2011

BOSTON, Oct. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- National college football analyst and youth sports parent Kirk Herbstreit has joined with Liberty Mutual Insurance to lead the panel of judges identifying the "Top 10 Responsible Sports Moments" of 2011.  This program, developed by Liberty Mutual and Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA), celebrates everyday demonstrations of sportsmanship, selflessness and positive values at the youth sports and amateur sports levels. Through November 15th, the public can nominate their own responsible sports moments with descriptions, photos or videos at www.Facebook.com/ResponsibleSports.  Liberty Mutual will honor the ten youth sports organizations that initiate or are the focus of each "Top 10 Responsible Sports Moment" with a $1,000 award in December.

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Joining Herbstreit in evaluating the dozens of nominees for this honor will be representatives from several leading youth sports organizations and Responsible Sports partners, including PCA Executive Director Jim Thompson and directors of local PCA chapters countrywide; John Sutter, president of US Youth Soccer; Tom Tobin, national executive director of American Youth Soccer Organization; Rich Bender, executive director of USA Wrestling; USA Hockey Executive Director Dave Ogrean and Vice President Larry Reid; and Ron Radigonda, executive director of American Softball Association.

"As we all know, youth sports should provide a fun, social, and character-building experience, but too often our attention is drawn to negative incidents and high-profile examples of poor sportsmanship," said Herbstreit, who has coached his sons' football and baseball teams.  "The Top 10 Responsible Sports Moments campaign shines a spotlight on the positive values sports instill in our children, and we aim to celebrate the everyday goodness in youth sports that typically goes unheralded."

Included among the many strong nominations to date are examples of outstanding leadership and responsibility as well as simple, everyday gestures of sportsmanship from playing fields around the country.  These serve as reminders of the positive impact that sports can have on the lives of young people and a community, including:

• After St. Mary's of Lynn (Mass.) lost in the Massachusetts Division 1 girls ice hockey quarterfinals in March to Hingham High School, ending a 100-game winning streak that spanned four seasons, St. Mary's senior captain Sabrina Iannetti boarded her opponents' bus, congratulated the team who ended her high school career two games short of perfection, and promised that St. Mary's would cheer them on through the rest of the state tournament.

• The girls' basketball team at Stowe (Vt.) High School cancelled their season, leaving Senior Hannah McNulty's aspirations of playing in college in doubt.  The school's boys' team welcomed Hannah onto their team, where she eventually earned a starting spot and helped them advance to the state playoffs.  This fall, she plans to play for the Suffolk University women's basketball team -- a dream that likely wouldn't have been fulfilled if she hadn't been given the opportunity to play her senior year.

• Eight-year-old Trevor is a catcher for a minor league youth baseball team.  One game earlier this summer, an opposing player was frightened to step into the batter's box.  Trevor called time out from his catching position, went over to the boy and put his arm around him.  They talked for a few minutes and then Trevor went back behind the plate.  The boy stepped into the batter's box, swung at the next pitch and fouled it off -- a small achievement, but a big step in growing his confidence to play our national pastime.

Youth Sport Grants Available

Further fulfilling its commitment to responsibility in sports, Liberty Mutual is again awarding a total of $65,000 in Responsible Sports grants this fall to 20 youth sports organizations and schools who promote the highest level of community participation in the online Responsible Sports curriculum by November 30.  By visiting www.ResponsibleSports.com and successfully completing the material, team and school supporters can credit their organization or school and potentially earn it either a $2,500 or a $5,000 grant.

Since 2007, the Liberty Mutual Responsible Sports Program has provided more than $415,000 in funding to nearly 150 youth sports organizations and schools across the United States.  Liberty Mutual's Responsible Sports grants have helped pay for new equipment and uniforms, renovations to practice facilities, and scholarships that cover league costs for children in need.

About Responsible Sports

The "Top 10 Responsible Sports Moments" campaign is the latest initiative from Responsible Sports™, created by Liberty Mutual as a means to celebrate the positive impact that every day, responsible actions can have on our youth.  As a responsible insurance company, Liberty Mutual believes that youth sport coaching and youth sport parenting are clear examples of how people can unite to promote the fundamental ideals of community.

Presented in partnership with PCA, the American Softball Association, US Youth Soccer, USA Hockey, USA Wrestling and the American Youth Soccer Organization, Liberty Mutual Responsible Sports is a community-based program providing resources, tools, tips and advice for volunteer youth sport coaches and sport parents.  The Responsible Sports program offers parents and coaches constructive tips, expert advice and practical examples to help create a positive sports environment for children.  Liberty Mutual also has provided more than $400,000 in grants to youth sports teams, organizations and schools for community participation in the online Responsible Sports curriculum.  To access the Responsible Sports resources, see previous Responsible Sports grant winners, and register your league or school for the Responsible Sports grant program, visit www.ResponsibleSports.com.  Teams or organizations representing any youth sport are eligible for a Responsible Sports grant.

About Liberty Mutual Insurance

"Helping people live safer, more secure lives" since 1912, Boston-based Liberty Mutual Group is a diversified global insurer and the third largest property and casualty insurer in the U.S. based on A.M. Best Company's report of 2010 net written premium.  The Group also ranks 82nd on the Fortune 500 list of largest U.S. corporations, based on 2010 revenue.  The company has over 45,000 employees located in more than 900 offices throughout the world.

The eighth-largest auto and home insurer in the U.S., Liberty Mutual (libertymutual.com) sells full lines of coverage for automobile, homeowners, valuable possessions, personal liability, and individual life insurance.  The company is an industry leader in affinity partnerships, offering car and home insurance to employees and members of more than 13,000 companies, credit unions, professional associations and alumni groups.

About Positive Coaching Alliance

Founded as a non-profit within the Stanford University Athletic Department in 1998, Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) has the mission of "transforming youth sports so sports can transform youth."  To that end, PCA has conducted roughly 9,000 live group workshops nationwide for more than 475,000 youth sports leaders, coaches and parents.  Workshop attendees have helped create a positive, character-building youth sports environment for roughly 3.5 million youth athletes.

PCA's partnership network includes more than 1,700 youth sports organizations, cities and schools.  In 2011, PCA will conduct roughly 1,300 live group workshops across the U.S., while assisting tens of thousands of other individuals via online courses at www.PositiveCoach.org.

SOURCE Liberty Mutual Insurance