The Big Ten Conference revealed its 36 Outstanding Sportsmanship Award winners for the 2025‑26 academic year, highlighting a select group of students who have excelled in athletics, academics and community life.
Recognition of Excellence
Selection criteria required each honoree to display positive sportsmanship, uphold ethical conduct, maintain good academic standing and contribute to citizenship beyond the playing arena.
Each of the conference’s member institutions nominated one student‑athlete from every varsity team, and from those nominations two outstanding individuals were chosen per school, resulting in the 36 awardees.
The conference, an alliance of leading research universities founded in 1896, oversees 28 official sports — 14 for men and 14 for women — and provides direct financial support to more than 14,000 student‑athletes across its campuses.
Among the recognized students are Rhys Allen and Maddie Vasilios, whose contributions exemplify the blend of competitive drive and personal integrity the award seeks to honor.
Award Winners Celebrated
The announcement was made during a virtual ceremony that highlighted the diverse backgrounds and achievements of the recipients, underscoring the conference’s broad reach across the Midwest and beyond.
Fans and alumni alike have praised the recognition, noting that the spotlight on sportsmanship aligns with growing expectations for character in collegiate athletics.
As the new academic year approaches, the honored students will serve as ambassadors for their schools, encouraging peers to adopt the same standards of respect and responsibility.