Montgomery, Ryan Win Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award

IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa student-athletes Jayden Montgomery and Grace Ryan have been recognized as Iowa’s recipients of the 2026-27 Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award.

The honor, now in its third year, was created to recognize Big Ten student-athletes who strive to have a positive impact within their community in addition to excellence in competition. Two student-athletes from each institution were recognized and two overall conference honorees will be selected and announced in the spring of 2027.

In recognition of their achievement and as an expression of the conference’s appreciation, each of the 36 campus winners will receive a medal bearing the likeness of Jackie Robinson and the logo of the Big Ten Conference.

Montgomery, a fifth-year linebacker on the Hawkeyes’ football team, is a William V. Campbell Trophy semifinalist and he was named to the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Watch List. He has been a team captain in each of the first nine games of the 2026 season and he’s second on the team with 55 tackles, eight TFL and 3.5 sacks.

The Suamico, Wisconsin, native is a six-time Dean's List and three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree. He was a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar in 2024 and 2025 and was recognized on the CSC Academic All-District team in 2025.

During his collegiate career, Montgomery has amassed several hours at the Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital, Safe Haven Animal Shelter, Make-A-Wish, Day of Caring, CommUnity Crisis Services & Food Bank. He was also one of five Iowa student-athlete representatives at the Big Ten Leadership Conference last summer in Chicago.

Ryan, a third-year member of the rowing team, competed on the III Varsity 4 boat that placed fourth at the 2026 Big Ten Championships. She was also an Academic All-Big Ten selection and is the Iowa Student-Athlete Advisory Committee representative for rowing.

The Marengo, Iowa, native has volunteered at local elementary schools, senior living centers and the Stead Family Children’s Hospital.  She also represented Iowa for three weeks this past summer in rural Vietnam for the Coach for College program. 

Honorees for the Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award 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.