Photo by: Northwestern Athletics
Wildcats Megumi Oishi & Tyler Ganus Nominated for Inaugural Big Ten Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award
4/8/2025 2:00:00 PM | Baseball, General, 'Cats Give Back, Women's Fencing
ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference has announced the 36 student-athlete campus winners and nominees – including Wildcats Megumi Oishi (Fencing) and Tyler Ganus (Baseball) – 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:
Northwestern
Megumi Oishi, Fencing
Tyler Ganus, Baseball
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
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:
Northwestern
Megumi Oishi, Fencing
Tyler Ganus, Baseball
A Leader On and Off the Strip ??
— Northwestern Fencing (@NUWFencing) April 9, 2025
Junior sabreist Megumi Oishi has been named a nominee for the inaugural @bigten Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award. pic.twitter.com/OnHGadVRzt
IllinoisMaking an impact on and off the field ??@tyler_ganus has been named a nominee for the inaugural @bigten Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award. pic.twitter.com/1jgLy4BmqO
— Northwestern Baseball (@NUCatsBaseball) April 10, 2025
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
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.
Players Mentioned
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