Hallman, Connolly announced as winners of Big Ten Jackie Robinson Award
November 19, 2025 | Football, General News
Pair of standout athletes earn conference recognition
The Big Ten Conference released on Wednesday the 36 recipients of the 2025-26 Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award, including Ricardo Hallman (football) and Erin Connolly (women's soccer) as Wisconsin's representatives.
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.
Of the 36 winners from the conference, two overall honorees will be selected and announced by the Big Ten in the spring of 2026.
Hallman has been a standout on the gridiron for four seasons at Wisconsin, starting in nearly every game for the Badgers in the past three seasons on defense. The graduate student is a three-time Academic All-Big Ten awardee, complemented by an AP Third Team All-American honor in his sophomore season. Hallman has accumulated 10 interceptions over the course of his career—including one in the Badgers' 13-10 victory over Washington on Nov. 8.
Connolly helped Wisconsin return to the NCAA tournament in 2025 as the junior currently leads the team in goals with nine. The Clayton, Missouri, native has been a staple on the pitch for the Badgers, as she paced UW to the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament and helped the team to a 14-5-2 record heading in to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Hallman and Connelly join Wisconsin's 2024-25 Big Ten Jackie Robinson Award recipients Kamari McGee (men's basketball) and Marianne Picard (women's hockey).
