Rutgers Athletes Honored with Big Ten Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award
rutgers men’s soccer student-athlete Jude Essuman and women’s lacrosse student-athlete Caitlin Collins have been named campus winners of the 2026 Big Ten Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award, presented by Discover. This is the award’s second year, and it recognizes big Ten student-athletes who demonstrate a commitment to positive change both in their sport and within their communities.
From a pool of 36 campus winners across the conference, two overall honorees will be announced in the spring of 2026. each of the 36 nominees will receive a medal featuring Jackie Robinson’s likeness and the big Ten Conference logo.
Essuman, originally from Takoradi, Ghana, attended Woodstock Academy in Connecticut before joining Rutgers men’s soccer in fall 2025.At Woodstock, he led his team to multiple national titles, earned 2024 Prep High School All-American honors, and was named both Golden Boot and MVP. He made an immediate contribution to Rutgers, appearing in 13 games and scoring his first goal against Seton Hall.
Collins, a native of Morristown, New Jersey, made 10 appearances as a freshman for Rutgers women’s lacrosse, scoring goals in victories against Oregon and Temple. She represents the program on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee through Scarlet Knights for Life and serves as a Student-Athlete Advocate for the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, a national organization supporting first responders and military heroes established after the September 11, 2001 attacks.
The Big Ten Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award was established in 2025 to honor student-athletes who embody the spirit of Jackie Robinson – a UCLA standout four-sport letter winner (football, basketball, track and field, and baseball) who broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball and dedicated his life to social justice. The award reflects the Big ten’s commitment to developing student leaders who demonstrate courage,determination,teamwork,persistence,integrity,citizenship,justice,commitment,and excellence.
Big Ten Conference Commissioner Tony petitti stated, ”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 recognition for the support of the Jackie Robinson Foundation.”
Selection criteria for the award include:
* Demonstrated Impact: Meaningful contributions to community projects with measurable positive outcomes.
* Collaboration and Teamwork: Effective collaboration with others to achieve community goals.
* Consistency and Commitment: Ongoing involvement in community service.
* Visibility and Advocacy: Raising awareness and advocating for vital causes.
