ROSEMONT, Ill. – Emma Bailey (softball) and Devin Mockobee (football) were one of 36 student-athletes selected throughout the Big Ten Conference as campus winners of the 2025-26 Jack Robinson Community & Impact Awards. Now in its second year, the honor was created to recognize Big Ten student-athletes who strive to have a positive impact within their community in addition to excellence in competition.
In recognition of their achievement and as an expression of the conference’s appreciation, both Bailey and Mockobee will receive a medal bearing the likeness of Jackie Robinson and the logo of the Big Ten Conference.
Honorees 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.
Bailey has consistently demonstrated her leadership and service to both Purdue and her community throughout her time as a Boilermaker. On the field, she helped Purdue become the first ever 12 seed to advance to both the quarterfinals and semifinals of the Big Ten Softball tournament, all while continuing to show up for her university, and the greater community of Indiana.
The senior has made considerable contributions to service projects and causes such as working with Habitat for Humanity to build walls for local families in need, participating in a clean up at the Lafayette transitional housing center, reading at a local elementary school, and running the softball station at Purdue's National Girls and Women in Sports day clinic.
Bailey was also a lead in the Big Ten Adoption program of IPS School #51 James Russel Lowell, where she dropped off school supplies, volunteered at their kick-off event, and spent time with the students. She also formed the SAAC committee for more engagement and involvement in the classroom. On the Big Ten leadership trip, she also worked a community field day with local kids from Chicago Schools.
Continuing her work in the greater community, Bailey has also participated in project and research for Faith Works Network Community Center in Gary, Ind., and in the development of a new community center for the southside of Indianapolis with emphasis on the history and strength of the Indianapolis community.
As the president of SAAC, she helps to lead a group of dedicated Purdue student-athletes to provide insight and feedback into issues, policies, and legislation in the NCAA. Connecting to her peers in the classroom, Bailey is also a part of Game Changers, which is currently assisting in a program re-design to better connect female Purdue student-athletes with women in Purdue's business school to strengthen leadership skills, networking skills, and knowledge of sports.
In the coming year, Bailey will continue to take part in various service projects, including returning to see the students of IPS school #51. During the upcoming holiday season, she will be dropping off meals for local families for Thanksgiving.
Mockobee is no stranger to being recognized for his contributions on and off the field, having been named a semifinalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year and also earning spots on the Wuerffel Trophy and AFCA Good Works Team Watch Lists.
From walk-on to fan-favorite, Mockobee will finish his career as one of the best running backs in Purdue history. He proved his leadership and loyalty to Purdue by not entering the transfer portal after last season, instead focusing on completing his mechanical engineering technology degree. As a senior returner that led Purdue in rushing each of the past three seasons, becoming just the ninth running back (since 1946) to accomplish that feat, it was no surprise that Mockobee was selected as a team captain by his teammates prior to the start of the 2025 campaign.
Mockobee continued to climb the charts in the Purdue record book. He finishes his career ranked in the program Top 10 in several career categories: 100-yard rushing games (4th), rushing yards (4th), all-purpose yards (7th) and rushing touchdowns (9th). This season, Mockobee has led the rushing attack with 521 yards, on pace to becoming the first player in program history to lead the team in rushing four years in a row.
Off the field, Mockobee has showcased his leadership by giving back to the community. A native of Boonville, Ind., Mockobee returned to his hometown this summer to make a $10,000 donation to Pioneer Junior Football and Cheer. It was with Pioneer that Mockobee fell in love with the game of football, leading to him being one of Purdue’s all-time leading rushers. Also making an impact in the Greater Lafayette community, Mockobee has made several visits to the Boys and Girls Club of Lafayette as well as Food Finders Food Bank.
From the collection of 36 local winners, two overall conference honorees will be selected by the Big Ten and announced in the spring of 2026.