Ohio State Athlete of the Year Finalists
Big Ten Directors of Athletics approved a recommendation of the sports information directors to establish a Big Ten Athlete of the Year named for Jesse Owens, Big Ten - Jesse Owens Athlete of the Year Award beginning in 1982. Indiana track performer Jim Spivey was the initial award winner.
In 1983, the Directors of Athletics approved a separate athlete of the year
award for women's athletics. In 1991-92, the women's award was renamed the Big Ten - Suzy Favor Athlete of the Year award as part of the celebration of the 10th anniversary of women's athletics in the Conference.
| 1982 | Art Schlichter, football | |
| 1983 | Chris Perry, golf | Cathy Kratzert, golf |
| 1984 | John Frank, football | Sarah Josephson, synchronized swimming |
| 1985 | Robert Playter, gymnastics | Yvette Angel, basketball |
| 1986 | Mike Lanese, football | Tracey Hall, basketball |
| 1987 | Harry Butch Reynolds, track | Karen LaFace, diving |
| 1988 | Chris Spielman, football | Bridgette Tate, track |
| 1989 | Joe Greene, track and field | Nikita Lowry, basketball |
| 1990 | Mike Racanelli, gymnastics | Susan Gottlieb, swimming |
| 1991 | Jim Jackson, basketball | Holly OLeary, volleyball |
| 1992 | Jim Jackson, basketball | Leisa Wissler, volleyball |
| 1993 | Chris Nelloms, track and field | Audrey Burcy, basketball |
| 1994 | Chris Sanders, track and field | Katie Smith, basketball |
| 1995 | Blaine Wilson, gymnastics | #Laura Davis, volleyball |
| 1996 | *Eddie George, football | Katie Smith, basketball |
| 1997 | *Blaine Wilson, gymnastics | Amy Langhals, golf |
| 1998 | Hugo Boisvert, hockey | Vanessa Wouters, volleyball |
| 1999 | Scoonie Penn, basketball | Dominque Calloway, track and field |
| 2000 | Jamie Natalie, gymnastics | Donica Merriman, track and field |
| 2001 | Jamie Natalie, gymnastics | Donica Merriman, track & field |
| 2002 | Raj Bhavsar, gymnastics | Anna Smith, softball |
| 2003 | Craig Krenzel, football | Stacey Gordon, volleyball |
| 2004 | Dan Taylor, track & field | Allison Hanna, golf |
| 2005 | Mike Nugent, football | Stacey Gordon, volleyball |
| 2006 | A.J. Hawk, football | Jessica Davenport, basketball |
| 2007 | Troy Smith, football | Jessica Davenport, basketball# |
| 2008 | Andras Horanyi, fencing | Teresa Meyer, pistol |
* Big Ten Jesse Owens Athlete of the Year
# Big Ten Suzy Favor Athlete of the Year
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