Big Ten Announces 2026 Wayne Duke Postgraduate Award Recipients

INDIANAPOLIS – Margaret Johnson of the University of Southern California and Sam Edwards from Michigan State University have been selected as this year’s Wayne Duke Postgraduate Award recipients. All 18 Big Ten Conference member institutions were asked to nominate one female and one male student-athlete for the 2025-26 school year. The two honorees selected were each awarded a $10,000 scholarship for their achievements in academics, athletics, extracurricular activities, and leadership.

In recognition of the Big Ten Conference’s leadership in fully integrating athletics into the academic mission of its member institutions, the Indianapolis Big Ten Community Partnership initiated the Wayne Duke Postgraduate Award in 2008. Over the last 19 years, the award has contributed more than $300,000 in scholarships.

The award is made possible by donations from local corporations and individuals who support intercollegiate athletics. The Big Ten Community Partnership is comprised of the State of Indiana, the City of Indianapolis, Indiana Sports Corp, Pacers Sports & Entertainment, the Indianapolis Colts, and Visit Indy.

Johnson was voted team captain in her sophomore season, becoming just the third sophomore in program history to be voted captain. She has led the Trojans to the NCAA Women’s Water Polo Tournament Final twice in 2023 and 2025 as she pursues her undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering, while simultaneously working toward a master’s degree in engineering management, maintaining a 3.6 undergraduate GPA and a 3.85 graduate GPA. She has earned recognition as an MSPF Scholar-Athlete and a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, in addition to receiving ACWPC All-Academic honors three times. Johnson has also earned Academic All-Big Ten and MPSF All-Academic honors. She has competed internationally, representing the United States on the U.S. Youth National Team, winning gold at the 2022 Junior Pan American Championships and capturing a championship at the Youth World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia. Johnson also serves as a Student-Athlete Leader for the USC Shoah Foundation, engaging in initiatives that promote empathy, historical understanding, and moral courage.

Edwards was voted team captain by his teammates in his graduate season in 2025. While excelling on the field as both a long snapper and linebacker, Edwards made an equally significant impact in the classroom. In 2025, he was appointed student-athlete representative to the NCAA Division I Board of Directors, becoming just the fourth football player to serve on the board. He is a five-time Academic All-Big Ten, four-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, a three-time Academic All-District selection, and a three-time recipient of the team’s Scholar Athlete Award. Edwards graduated in May 2024 with a double major in political theory and Constitutional Democracy/International Relations, completed a minor in political economy in December 2024, and earned his master’s degree in marketing research in December 2025 with a 3.9 GPA. In preparation for a career in law, he has worked as an Ad Hoc Law Clerk at Nichols Law Firm in East Lansing.

“Indiana Sports Corp is proud to recognize Sam Edwards and Margaret Johnson as the 2026 Wayne Duke Postgraduate Award recipients,” said Patrick Taly, Indiana Sports Corp President. “Their commitment to academic excellence, competitive achievement, and servant leadership embodies the spirit of this award and the values of the Big Ten Conference.”

The Wayne Duke Postgraduate Award is named for the late Big Ten Conference commissioner who served from 1971 to 1989. While leading the conference, Duke spent much of his time working to improve academic standards and graduation rates for students competing in conference athletics.

2026 Wayne Duke Postgraduate Award Nominees
University of Nebraska: Rienk Mast, Basketball; Axelina Johansson, Track & Field
Michigan State University: Sydney Doloszycki, Softball; Samuel Edwards, Football
University of Wisconsin: Ashley Martinez, Soccer
University of Iowa: William Ryan, Track & Field
University of Minnesota: Aiva Schmitz, Tennis; Andrew Bennett, Diving
Indiana University: Maxwell Weinrich, Diving; Avery Parker, Softball
University of Washington: Lucy Newlin, Soccer
Northwestern University: Samantha Serban, Fencing
The Ohio State University: Sloane Matthews, Ice Hockey; Mason Edmund, Swimming
University of Maryland: Allyson Williams, Volleyball; Mitchell Lloyd, Lacrosse
Rutgers University: Katherine Lang, Swimming & Diving; Noah Kriesman, Track & Field
Penn State University: Vasil Ivakimov, Fencing; Katie Dallas, Cross Country & Track
Purdue University: Maxwell Blume, Swimming & Diving; Akasha Anderson, Volleyball
University of Illinois: Tali Joelson, Gymnastics; Ryan Vanichtheeranont, Gymnastics
University of Southern California: Andrej Grgurevic, Water Polo; Margaret Johnson, Water Polo

Previous Wayne Duke Postgraduate Award Winners
2025: Teresa Ivan, Ohio State, Swimming & Diving; Micaylon Moore, Nebraska, Track & Field
2024: Trent DiCicco, Ohio State, Lacrosse; Ashley Harlock, Michigan State, Field Hockey
2023: Diana Brown, Illinois, Volleyball; Thomas Penola, Purdue University, Wrestling
2022: Blake Hayes, Illinois, Football; Gianna Glatz, Rutgers, Field Hockey
2021: Kieran Mullins, Rutgers, Lacrosse; Lea Mitchell, Michigan State, Gymnastics
2020: Scott Piper, Michigan State, Swimming & Diving; Sade Olatoye, Ohio State, Track & Field
2019: Anton Stephenson, Nebraska, Men’s Gymnastics; Olivia Rosendahl, Northwestern, Swimming & Diving
2018: Chris Weber, Nebraska, Football; Emily Mills, Rutgers, Golf
2017: Geno Morelli, Penn State, Wrestling; Lindsay Agnew, Ohio State, Soccer
2016: Cody Rush, Nebraska, Track and Field; Lindsay Mable, Minnesota, Gymnastics
2015: Campbell Sode, Rutgers, Lacrosse; Jessica Plant, Minnesota, Swimming & Diving
2014: Spencer Long, Nebraska, Football; Emily Wong, Nebraska, Gymnastics
2013: Sean Fisher, Nebraska, Football; Katelyn White, Nebraska, Cross Country and Track & Field
2012: Miguel Pineda, Penn State, Gymnastics; Margaux Farrell, Indiana, Swimming & Diving
2011: Mike Torchia, Minnesota, Cross Country and Track & Field; Allie Smith, Purdue, Swimming & Diving
2010: Mark Ison, Northwestern, Football; Chelsea Davis, Ohio State, Swimming & Diving
2009: Drew Ratner, Northwestern, Soccer; Lauren Mioton, Purdue, Basketball
2008: Kevin Trulock, Indiana, Football; Molly Crispell, Penn State, Swimming & Diving