ROSEMONT, Ill. – Paige Hazelrigg (cross country/track & field) and CJ Madden (football) were two of 36 student-athletes selected throughout the Big Ten Conference as campus winners of the 2026-27 Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Awards. Now in its third 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 Hazelrigg and Madden will wear a patch on their respective uniforms 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.
Hazelrigg has made a strong impact on the Greater Lafayette youth community in her role as President of the West Lafayette Chapter of Run Your City. The nationwide initiative is set up to create a community where kids can be introduced to sport and feel they truly belong. Hazelrigg has been part of three seasons with Run Your City with the goal of showing the kids true resilience as they grow in all aspects of life. There are over 100 chapters across the United States run by thousands of college athletes and Hazelrigg, leading a team of six other current and former teammates, brings the opportunity to West Lafayette for six sessions each in the spring and fall semester.
Along with her involvement in Run Your City, Hazelrigg also participates with the track & field program with Thanksgiving meal shopping for families in the Greater Lafayette area, the Salvation Army and unified track events.
Hazelrigg is a two-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and four-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree with a perfect 4.0 GPA studying Biomedical Health Sciences (Pre-Dentistry). In competition, Hazelrigg has participated in 20 meets on the cross country course and 10 meets on the track in her career.
Ever since arriving in West Lafayette prior to the 2024 season, Madden has made a difference on and off the field. For the second straight year, he has made monetary donations and dedicated time to the Hanna Center, a local community center that provides support for youth and senior citizens throughout the area. Through his donations and visits, Madden serves as a role model for kids at the Hanna Center.
Madden was selected as a team captain by his teammates ahead of the 2025 season. After missing the majority of the 2024 campaign due to injury, his first season as a Boilermaker, he played in all 12 games and made eight starts last year. The Ellenwood, Georgia, native racked up 16 tackles, while adding 2.5 tackles-for-loss and 0.5 sack. This season, Madden has appeared in all nine games on the Boilermakers’ defensive line. He has registered 10 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss, 1.0 sack and a pair of QB hurries.
Already a Purdue graduate, earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology, Madden is currently pursuing his Master’s degree in Sport Management.
From the collection of 36 local winners, two overall conference honorees will be selected by the Big Ten and announced in the spring of 2027.