Courtesy: Big Ten
ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference is celebrating its 111th class of recipients who earned the Big Ten Medal of Honor from their respective institutions during the 2024-25 academic year. Established in 1915, the Big Ten Medal of Honor is the conference’s most prestigious award. It was the first award in intercollegiate athletics to demonstrate support for the educational emphasis placed on athletics.
The Big Ten Medal of Honor is awarded to one male and one female student-athlete from the graduating class of each member institution who has demonstrated excellence on and off the field throughout their collegiate career. This year’s class comprised student-athletes from 15 sports.
Big Ten schools currently feature more than 11,000 student-athletes, but only 36 earn the award on an annual basis. Since the Big Ten Medal of Honor was first presented more than a century ago, just over 1,680 student-athletes have earned this unique distinction. Those names are on permanent display at the Big Ten Office in Rosemont.
Below is a listing of this year’s recipients:
2025 Big Ten Medal of Honor Class
Illinois
Jackson Buchanan, Golf
Raina Terry, Volleyball
Indiana
Jassen Yep, Swimming
Brianna Copeland, Softball
Iowa
Payton Sandfort, Basketball
Maggie Johnston, Soccer
Maryland
Jaxon Smith, Wrestling
Emma DeBerdine, Field Hockey
Michigan
Paul Juda, Gymnastics
Julia Fliegner, Tennis
Michigan State
Jaden Akins, Basketball
Gabrielle Stephen, Gymnastics
Minnesota
Dawson Garcia, Basketball
Mya Hooten, Gymnastics
Nebraska
Micaylon Moore, Track & Field
Lexi Rodriguez, Volleyball
Northwestern
Brooks Barnhizer, Basketball
Maddie Zimmer, Field Hockey
Ohio State
Cody Simon, Football
Makenna Webster, Field Hockey/Ice Hockey
Oregon
Bryce Boettcher, Football
Paige Sinicki, Softball
Penn State
Tyler Warren, Football
Maddie Gordon, Softball
Purdue
Cameron Miller, Track & Field
Sophie McAfee, Diving
Rutgers
Kyle Monangai, Football
Chloe Timberg, Track & Field
UCLA
Pablo Ereño, Golf
Lilly Reale, Soccer
USC
Caden Aoki, Baseball
Gala Trubint, Volleyball
Washington
Carson Bruener, Football
Dalayah Daniels, Basketball
Wisconsin
Bob Liking, Cross Country/Track & Field
Phoebe Bacon, Swimming
