Big Ten Institution Winners and 36 Nominees Announced for Inaugural Big Ten Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference today announced the 36 student-athlete campus winners and nominees for the inaugural Big Ten Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award. Two overall Conference winners will be announced on Big Ten social media within the week. The nominees for the overall award are:

Illinois
Abby Lynch, Track & Field and Soccer
Kenenna Odeluga, Football

Indiana
Shea O’Malley, Soccer
Jack Wagoner, Soccer

Iowa
Nanea Estrella, Wrestling
Will Ryan, Track & Field

Maryland
Tasha Brozowski, Gymnastics
Dillan Fontus, Football

Michigan
Yasmine Mansi, Track & Field
Semaj Morgan, Football

Michigan State
Skyla Schulte, Gymnastics
Jalen Thompson, Football

Minnesota
Zariyah Black, Track & Field
Jordan Dunigan, Track & Field

Nebraska
Genesis Gibson, Gymnastics
Micaylon Moore, Track & Field

Northwestern
Megumi Oishi, Fencing
Tyler Ganus, Baseball

Ohio State
Nyah Funderburke, Swimming
Sonny Styles, Football

Oregon
Hannah Seubert, Track & Field
Junior (Naulivou) Lauaki, Baseball

Penn State
Jami Morris, Golf
Dylan Lugris, Hockey

Purdue
Jalen Elrod, Track & Field
Brody Chrisman, Baseball

Rutgers
Emma Baeyens, Track & Field
John Poznanski, Wrestling

UCLA
Janiah Barker, Basketball
Chase Griffin, Football

USC
Samirah Moody, Track & Field
Bryce Brock, Track & Field

Washington
Deiah Moody, Gymnastics
Levi Hawk, Soccer

Wisconsin
Marianne Picard, Hockey
Kamari McGee, Basketball

In recognition of their achievement and as an expression of the Conference’s appreciation, each of the 36 nominees will receive a medal bearing the likeness of Jackie Robinson and the logo of the Big Ten Conference.

The Big Ten Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award was established in 2025 to recognize student-athletes at Big Ten institutions who strive to have a positive impact not only in their chosen sport, but also within their community. Jackie Robinson was a standout student-athlete at UCLA, where he was the school’s first four-sport letter winner, excelling in football, basketball, track and field, and baseball. Beyond his athletic prowess, however, he is recognized and honored for his contributions off the field: integrating Major League Baseball and his lifelong commitment to social justice. He is the embodiment of the Big Ten's mission to develop strong student leaders, and we honor his legacy and core values of courage, determination, teamwork, persistence, integrity, citizenship, justice, commitment, and excellence. As Jackie famously said, “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.”

“It is our privilege and great honor to bestow this award in Jackie’s name upon these deserving Big Ten student-athletes and to express our appreciation for the support of the Jackie Robinson Foundation,” said Big Ten Conference Commissioner Tony Petitti.

Student-athletes were nominated based on the following criteria:

• Demonstrated Impact: Significant and tangible contributions to community projects or causes, including measurable outcomes or positive changes resulting from their involvement.

• Collaboration and Teamwork: Ability to work effectively with others, including peers, organizations, and community members, to achieve common goals and enhance community impact.

• Consistency and Commitment: Ongoing and consistent participation in community service activities over an extended period of time.

• Visibility and Advocacy: Efforts to raise awareness and advocate for important groups or causes, leveraging their platform to promote positive change and engage others.

"The Big Ten Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award celebrates Jackie’s legacy of excellence in community service,” said Sonya Pankey Robinson, Jackie’s first grandchild, Director and board member of the Jackie Robinson Foundation. "We are proud to recognize 36 outstanding men and women for the incredible impact they make in their community."

"Our student-athletes make significant contributions through competition, academics, and community impact,” said Big Ten Senior Vice President, Community & Impact, Omar Brown. “This award allows the Big Ten to recognize these efforts in improving communities, just as we do with their other athletic and academic achievements. Jackie Robinson embodies this award and our goal to honor student-athletes who positively affect others."

The Big Ten Conference’s commitment to athletics, academics and service goes back to the conference’s founding. Coupling the academic goals set forth by leaders of the charter members of the conference with their steadfast commitment to athletics, the conference instituted the Big Ten Medal of Honor in 1915, the first award to demonstrate support for the educational emphasis placed on intercollegiate athletics. It is awarded annually by each member institution to one male and one female student of the graduating class who has attained the greatest proficiency in scholarship and athletics.

In June of 2020 the conference launched the Big Ten Equality Coalition. This group, which features student-athletes, coaches, athletic directors, chancellors, presidents and other members, has a stated goal of seeking tangible ways to actively and constructively combat racism and hate around the world, while also empowering student-athletes to express their rights to free speech and peaceful protest. An important initiative resulting from conversations initiated by the coalition was the Big Ten Voter Registration Initiative.

In recent years, several delegations of conference student-athletes and administrators have traveled to Selma and Montgomery, Alabama, for an immersive civil rights educational experience entitled: “Big Life Series: Selma to Montgomery.” The visit to one of the key centers of the civil rights movement was highlighted by marching across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma to learn more about the profound impact that young people had on the civil rights movement.

Additionally, the Big Ten Conference is dedicated to making a lasting impact on the communities where its major events are held, hosting sports clinics, renovating recreation centers, and giving elementary-aged children a behind-the-scenes experience with major Big Ten events. In all cases the conference focuses on creating meaningful improvements aimed at leaving each location better than it was found. Most recently, the Big Ten collaborated with the College Football Playoff Foundation, local sports organizations and local school districts to enhance spaces for teachers and children while providing additional educational and athletic opportunities for children.