Nov 12 | General, Men's Basketball, Women's Golf
MBB and WGOLF standouts honored for their work with Team IMPACT, Embrace Kids Foundation and RU4Kids
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers men's basketball's Darren Buchanan Jr. and women's golf's Lorena Rossettin have been selected as the Scarlet Knights' campus winners of the 2027 Big Ten Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award, the conference announced.
The award recognizes Big Ten student-athletes who embody Jackie Robinson's core values, known as "Jackie's Nine" – courage, determination, teamwork, persistence, integrity, citizenship, justice, commitment and excellence – and who have made an exceptional impact on their local communities through volunteerism, community programming and philanthropy. Each Big Ten institution selects one male and one female campus winner.
Buchanan was recognized for his continued commitment to Team IMPACT and his teammate Trent, as well as the way he consistently encourages and inspires his Scarlet Knights teammates to get involved in the community.
"It's a great award," Buchanan said. "I'm blessed. I'm thankful. I'm grateful. I really didn't get into community service for awards, but it's cool that these types of things are coming around. I just look forward to doing more for my community and making an impact on the world."
Through Team IMPACT, Buchanan has built a close bond with Trent, who has become a fixture around the program.
"Trent, that's little bro," Buchanan said. "When he's at the game, he tells us the real. He lets us know what we need to work on. He's really like another coach. He gives us advice on what he sees out there. I'm real close with him. We've got a special relationship. That's my guy."
Buchanan's service extends back home to Washington, D.C. This past summer, he hosted his third annual youth basketball camp and his third annual back-to-school drive, where approximately 120 backpacks were distributed to local students. Over Thanksgiving, he plans to return to D.C. to hand out meals to people experiencing homelessness, with another community initiative planned for the holiday season.
"What made me start was my upbringing in my community back home in D.C.," Buchanan said. "I know how hard it is growing up there, and I just want to be an outlet for the youth, for the homeless and for those who are less fortunate. I try to do my part to show them that somebody cares. I'm going to keep going until I can't anymore."
The honor adds to a growing list of recognition for Buchanan's work off the court. Last year, he was named a recipient of the 2025 Musial Awards, one of the nation's most prestigious honors celebrating class, character and integrity in sports.
Rossettin has served in a leadership position with the Embrace Kids Foundation and the RU4Kids program during her time "On the Banks." She has represented the women's golf program at several Embrace Kids Foundation events throughout the school year.
"I'm incredibly honored to receive the Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award," Rossettin said. "Being part of RU4Kids has shown me how important it is to give back and how we can make a difference in other people's lives. I'm also grateful to be part of a team that cares about our community and encourages each other to get involved. Service is a pillar of our team culture, and I hope we can continue making a positive impact in New Brunswick and Piscataway."
As campus winners, Buchanan and Rossettin will each receive an individual award from the Big Ten. The conference will then select two overall winners, who will be recognized with an on-campus trophy presentation and attendance at a Big Ten event.
About the Big Ten Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award
Established in 2025, the Big Ten Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award honors student-athletes at Big Ten institutions who strive to make a positive impact not only in their sport, but also within their community. The award is presented in partnership with the Jackie Robinson Foundation, established in 1973 by Rachel Robinson to perpetuate the memory of her husband. On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson became the first African American to play Major League Baseball in the modern era and went on to become a key figure in advancing equal opportunity during the Civil Rights Movement.
The award recognizes Big Ten student-athletes who embody Jackie Robinson's core values, known as "Jackie's Nine" – courage, determination, teamwork, persistence, integrity, citizenship, justice, commitment and excellence – and who have made an exceptional impact on their local communities through volunteerism, community programming and philanthropy. Each Big Ten institution selects one male and one female campus winner.
Buchanan was recognized for his continued commitment to Team IMPACT and his teammate Trent, as well as the way he consistently encourages and inspires his Scarlet Knights teammates to get involved in the community.
"It's a great award," Buchanan said. "I'm blessed. I'm thankful. I'm grateful. I really didn't get into community service for awards, but it's cool that these types of things are coming around. I just look forward to doing more for my community and making an impact on the world."
Through Team IMPACT, Buchanan has built a close bond with Trent, who has become a fixture around the program.
"Trent, that's little bro," Buchanan said. "When he's at the game, he tells us the real. He lets us know what we need to work on. He's really like another coach. He gives us advice on what he sees out there. I'm real close with him. We've got a special relationship. That's my guy."
Buchanan's service extends back home to Washington, D.C. This past summer, he hosted his third annual youth basketball camp and his third annual back-to-school drive, where approximately 120 backpacks were distributed to local students. Over Thanksgiving, he plans to return to D.C. to hand out meals to people experiencing homelessness, with another community initiative planned for the holiday season.
"What made me start was my upbringing in my community back home in D.C.," Buchanan said. "I know how hard it is growing up there, and I just want to be an outlet for the youth, for the homeless and for those who are less fortunate. I try to do my part to show them that somebody cares. I'm going to keep going until I can't anymore."
The honor adds to a growing list of recognition for Buchanan's work off the court. Last year, he was named a recipient of the 2025 Musial Awards, one of the nation's most prestigious honors celebrating class, character and integrity in sports.
Rossettin has served in a leadership position with the Embrace Kids Foundation and the RU4Kids program during her time "On the Banks." She has represented the women's golf program at several Embrace Kids Foundation events throughout the school year.
"I'm incredibly honored to receive the Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award," Rossettin said. "Being part of RU4Kids has shown me how important it is to give back and how we can make a difference in other people's lives. I'm also grateful to be part of a team that cares about our community and encourages each other to get involved. Service is a pillar of our team culture, and I hope we can continue making a positive impact in New Brunswick and Piscataway."
As campus winners, Buchanan and Rossettin will each receive an individual award from the Big Ten. The conference will then select two overall winners, who will be recognized with an on-campus trophy presentation and attendance at a Big Ten event.
About the Big Ten Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award
Established in 2025, the Big Ten Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award honors student-athletes at Big Ten institutions who strive to make a positive impact not only in their sport, but also within their community. The award is presented in partnership with the Jackie Robinson Foundation, established in 1973 by Rachel Robinson to perpetuate the memory of her husband. On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson became the first African American to play Major League Baseball in the modern era and went on to become a key figure in advancing equal opportunity during the Civil Rights Movement.
Players Mentioned
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