Janiah Barker (left) and Chase Griffin
Barker, Griffin Named Big Ten Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award Nominees
April 09, 2025 | Football, Women's Basketball, Bruin Athletics
ROSEMONT, Ill. โ Janiah Barker of UCLA women's basketball and Chase Griffin of UCLA football were named campus nominees for the inaugural Big Ten Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award, it was announced Monday by the conference.
A total of 36 nominees were chosen from the 18 member institutions. Two overall winners will be selected later this week. Each of the 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.
Junior Barker was named the Big Ten Sixth Player of the Year award for her efforts during UCLA's historic 2024-25 campaign. The Marietta, Ga., native averaged 7.4 points and 6.0 rebounds per game off the bench for the Bruins; she finished her junior campaign with six double-doubles. She helped the program achieve its first-ever No. 1 overall ranking in both the regular season and NCAA tournament as UCLA won a record-setting 34 games. As a member of the women's basketball program, Barker regularly visits UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital and the Dream Center to serve and support those in underserved communities around Los Angeles.
Griffin earned a spot on the 2024 Allstate AFCA Good Works Teamยฎ and was a semifinalist for the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy โ college football's highest community service honors โ during his final season with the Bruins. A three-time UCLA degree holder, he has been recognized as the school's Young Alumnus of the Year and received the Chancellor's Service Award. UCLA Athletics presented Griffin the Bruin Leadership Award and he was the football program's representative in the Bruin Athletic Council leadership group. His off-the-field accolades also include NIL Male Athletic of the Year awards from INFLCR and Opendorse. A portion of Griffin's Name, Image and Likeness proceeds went directly to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank's BackPack Program, which benefits children who rely on school meals to not go hungry. The quarterback played in nine games, starting two, across six seasons (2019-2024). He completed 41 of 67 passes (.610 completion percentage) for 467 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions.
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.
A total of 36 nominees were chosen from the 18 member institutions. Two overall winners will be selected later this week. Each of the 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.
Junior Barker was named the Big Ten Sixth Player of the Year award for her efforts during UCLA's historic 2024-25 campaign. The Marietta, Ga., native averaged 7.4 points and 6.0 rebounds per game off the bench for the Bruins; she finished her junior campaign with six double-doubles. She helped the program achieve its first-ever No. 1 overall ranking in both the regular season and NCAA tournament as UCLA won a record-setting 34 games. As a member of the women's basketball program, Barker regularly visits UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital and the Dream Center to serve and support those in underserved communities around Los Angeles.
Griffin earned a spot on the 2024 Allstate AFCA Good Works Teamยฎ and was a semifinalist for the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy โ college football's highest community service honors โ during his final season with the Bruins. A three-time UCLA degree holder, he has been recognized as the school's Young Alumnus of the Year and received the Chancellor's Service Award. UCLA Athletics presented Griffin the Bruin Leadership Award and he was the football program's representative in the Bruin Athletic Council leadership group. His off-the-field accolades also include NIL Male Athletic of the Year awards from INFLCR and Opendorse. A portion of Griffin's Name, Image and Likeness proceeds went directly to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank's BackPack Program, which benefits children who rely on school meals to not go hungry. The quarterback played in nine games, starting two, across six seasons (2019-2024). He completed 41 of 67 passes (.610 completion percentage) for 467 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions.
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.
Players Mentioned
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