Iowa Names Montgomery, Ryan Jackie Robinson Award Winners
Iowa Athletics recognized linebacker Jayden Montgomery and rower Grace Ryan among 36 Big Ten student-athletes for community impact.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Philanthropy
Iowa Athletics named Jayden Montgomery and Grace Ryan recipients of the 2026-27 Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award on Thursday, November 12, 2026. The award recognizes Big Ten student-athletes who make a positive impact in their community while excelling in competition.
Why it matters
The honor recognizes community service alongside athletic performance, with two student-athletes recognized from each Big Ten institution. For Iowa residents, it highlights local student-athletes' contributions beyond their sports.
Two student-athletes from each Big Ten institution were recognized from a field of 36 total nominees. Two overall conference honorees will be chosen from that group, with the selection to be announced in spring 2027.
The players
Jayden Montgomery
Montgomery is a fifth-year linebacker for the University of Iowa football team and a William V. Campbell Trophy semifinalist who was also named to the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Watch List.
Grace Ryan
Ryan is a women's rowing athlete at the University of Iowa who was named a 2026-27 Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award recipient.
University of Iowa Athletics
Iowa Athletics is the athletic department of the University of Iowa, which competes in the Big Ten Conference and announced the award recipients.
The details
Honorees were selected for demonstrated impact, collaboration and teamwork, consistency and commitment, and visibility and advocacy. Montgomery, a fifth-year linebacker, has volunteered with Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital, Safe Haven Animal Shelter, Make-A-Wish, Day of Caring, and CommUnity Crisis Services & Food Bank.
Timeline
Summer 2026: Montgomery attended the Big Ten Leadership Conference in Chicago.
2024 and 2025: Montgomery was named a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar.
Thursday, November 12, 2026: Iowa Athletics named the award recipients.
Spring 2027: Two overall conference honorees will be announced.
Season Trajectory
The Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award is in its third year and recognizes Big Ten student-athletes for community service alongside competition. This year's Iowa recipients continue that cycle, with two overall conference honorees to be named in spring 2027.
Iowa fans can follow Montgomery's 2026 season, in which he recorded 55 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks. The award also signals that community service is part of the Hawkeye athlete experience for local supporters.
The takeaway
Recognition programs like this one show that community involvement can be measured alongside athletic achievement. Readers interested in student-athlete service can follow future conference announcements.
What happens next
Two overall conference honorees from the Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award will be announced in spring 2027.
Further reading
Explore more philanthropy coverage on how Big Ten athletes and programs give back to their communities.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Hawkeyes Wire.
