Purdue 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 | Keith Edmonson, basketball | |
| 1983 | Alvin McNair, track and field | Jane Neff, volleyball |
| 1984 | Jim Rowinski, basketball | Sybil Perry, track and field |
| 1985 | Jim Everett, football | Yvonne Netterville, track and field |
| 1986 | Jim Everett, football | Marianne Smith, volleyball |
| 1987 | Rod Woodson, track and football | Cathey Tyree, basketball and track/field |
| 1988 | Troy Lewis, basketball | Sharon Versyp, basketball |
| 1989 | Brian Kiser, track and field | Jamie McNeair, track and field |
| 1990 | Stephen Scheffler, basketball | Jamie McNeair, track and field |
| 1991 | Jimmy Oliver, basketball | #Joy Holmes, basketball |
| 1992 | Charles Jones, wrestling | #MaChelle Joseph, basketball |
| 1993 | Glenn Robinson, basketball | Heidi Reynolds, swimming |
| 1994 | *Glenn Robinson, basketball | Kim Fritsch, swimming |
| 1995 | Cuonzo Martin, basketball | Corissa Yasen, track and field |
| 1996 | Mike Alstott, football | Corissa Yasen, track and field |
| 1997 | Matt Brown, swimming | Jannon Roland, basketball |
| 1998 | Brian Alford, football | Stephanie White, basketball |
| 1999 | Rosevelt Colvin, football | #Stephanie White-McCarty, basketball |
| 2000 | Drew Brees, football | Katie Douglas, basketball |
| 2001 | Drew Brees, football | #Katie Douglas, basketball |
| 2002 | Lee Williamson, golf | Serene Ross, track and field |
| 2003 | Chris Fleeger, wrestling | Andrea Hillsey, softball |
| 2004 | John Standeford, football | Shereka Wright, basketball |
| 2005 | Taylor Stubblefield, football | Carrie McCambridge, diving |
| 2006 | Giordan Pogioli, swimming | Onnarin Sattayabanphot, golf |
| 2007 | Anthony Spencer, football | Amanda Miller, diving |
| 2008 | Dustin Keller, football | Maria Hernandez, golf |
* Big Ten Jesse Owens Athlete of the Year
# Big Ten Suzy Favor Athlete of the Year
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