INDIANAPOLIS -- A coach who went barefoot during a game to raise awareness for needy children in Africa generated donations of more than 100,000 pairs of shoes for charity and is getting widespread praise for the effort.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis coach Ron Hunter (pictured) exceeded his goal of collecting 40,000 pairs in honor of the 40th anniversary of the death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

He coached Thursday night's game against Oakland University without shoes, and some in attendance also went barefoot and bought new shoes for those in need.

Nearly $20,000 and 110,000 pairs of shoes were donated to the Charlotte, N.C., charitable organization called Samaritan's Feet.

"I went and talked to our students and they have all been behind it. They flooded my office with shoes," Hunter said. "It will be enough to make a difference in people's lives."

The coach appeared on several ESPN shows on Thursday, and secured donations of thousands of shoes from Converse, Wal-Mart, Nine West and the Department of Homeland Security.

Hunter will be honored as the "Person of the Week" Friday on ABC World News.

More Info: Samaritan's Feet