PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers men’s soccer student-athlete Jude Essuman and women’s lacrosse student-athlete Caitlin Collins were chosen as the campus winners of the 2026 Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award, presented by Discover. The honor, which is in its second year, was created to recognize Big Ten student-athletes who strive to have a positive impact not only in their chosen sport, but also within their community.
From the collection of 36 campus winners, two overall conference honorees will be selected and announced in the spring of 2026. 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.
Born in Takoradi, Ghana, Essuman came to the U.S. where he attended Woodstock Academy in Connecticut. He helped lead his team to multiple national titles and was selected as a 2024 Prep High School All-American as well as the team’s Golden Boot and MVP. He joined Rutgers men’s soccer in the fall of 2025, making an immediate impact, seeing action in 13 games, and scoring his first goal to draw Seton Hall.
A standout both on and off the field, Collins made 10 appearances as a true freshman for Rutgers last season, scoring in wins against Oregon and Temple. The Morristown, New Jersey, native serves as the program’s representative on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee through Scarlet Knights for Life. Collins was also chosen as a Student-Athlete Advocate for the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, a national organization formed after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks to honor and support the country’s first responders and military heroes.
The Big Ten Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award, presented by Discover, 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.
Honorees were selected 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.
