By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- It is once again time to vote for Head Football Coach Mark Speckman of Willamette University for the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award. Fan voting makes up 20 percent of the selection process and also determines which 25 coaches in each of the NCAA's four football divisions advance to the next round.

Selected members of the College Football Hall of Fame will represent 55 percent of the voting and 25 percent will be supplied by the national media.

Last year, Willamette responded with great support for Coach Speckman who finished seventh in the fan voting. This fall, each fan is allowed to vote on-line one time per day through Dec 6.

One winner from each NCAA division (BCS, FCS, DII, DIII) will be selected late this year to receive the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award. Each winner will earn $50,000 for his choice of charity or charities. An additional $20,000 will go to the alumni association of the college or university where each winning coach is employed. Coach Speckman will compete against his other coaching colleagues in Division III.

Liberty Mutual sponsors the Coach of the Year Award to honor coaches who show responsibility and excellence on and off the field. The founders of the award also want to stress than how you win is as important as winning. The involvement of coaches in community service also is a component of the selection process.

Fans of Willamette football know that Coach Speckman and his players exemplify these ideals. Team members excel in the classroom and are involved in community service. Coach Speckman leads his players with integrity and a commitment to hard work. He is focused on the academic as well as the athletic success of his team.