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 |
Jim Spivey, Indiana, track and field/cross country |
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| 1983 |
Ed Banach, Iowa, wrestling |
Judi Brown, Michigan State, track and field |
| 1984 |
Sunder Nix, Indiana, track and field |
Lisa Ishikawa, Northwestern, softball |
| 1985 |
Barry Davis, Iowa, wrestling |
Cathy Branta, Wisconsin, cross country/track and field |
| 1986 |
Chuck Long, Iowa, football |
Stephanie Herbst, Wisconsin, cross country/track and field |
| 1987 |
Steve Alford, Indiana, basketball |
Jennifer Averill, Northwestern, field hockey/lacrosse |
| 1988 |
Jim Abbott, Michigan, baseball |
Suzy Favor, Wisconsin, track and field/cross country |
| 1989 |
Glen Rice, Michigan, basketball |
Suzy Favor, Wisconsin, track and field/cross country |
| 1990 |
Anthony Thompson, Indiana, football |
Suzy Favor, Wisconsin, track and field/cross country |
| 1991 |
Mike Barrowman, Michigan, swimming |
Julie Farrell-Ovenhouse, Michigan State, diving, Joy Holmes, Purdue, basketball (tie) |
| 1992 |
Desmond Howard, Michigan, football |
MaChelle Joseph, Purdue, basketball |
| 1993 |
John Roethlisberger, Minnesota, gymnastics |
Lara Hooiveld, Michigan, swimming |
| 1994 |
Glenn Robinson, Purdue, basketball |
Kristy Gleason, Iowa, field hockey |
| 1995 |
Tom Dolan, Michigan, swimming |
Laura Davis, Ohio State, volleyball |
| 1996 |
Eddie George, Ohio State, football |
Olga Kalinovskaya, Penn State, fencing |
| 1997 |
Blaine Wilson, Ohio State, gymnastics |
Kathy Butler, Wisconsin, track and field, Gretchen Hegener, Minnesota, swimming (tie) |
| 1998 |
Charles Woodson, Michigan, football |
Sara Griffin, Michigan, softball |
| 1999 |
Luke Donald, Northwestern, golf |
Stephanie White-McCarty, Purdue, basketball |
| 2000 |
Ron Dayne, Wisconsin, football |
Lauren Cacciamani, Penn State, volleyball |
| 2001 |
Ryan Miller, Michigan State, ice hockey |
Katie Douglas, Purdue, basketball |
| 2002 |
Jordan Leopold, Minnesota, ice hockey |
Christie Welsh, Penn State, soccer |
| 2003 |
Amer Delic, Illinois, tennis
Matt Lackey, Illinois, wrestling |
Perdita Felicien, Illinois, track and field |
| 2004 |
Damion Hahn, Minnesota, wrestling |
Kelly Mazzante, Penn State, basketball |
| 2005 |
Luis Vargas, Penn State, gymnastics |
Jennie Ritter, Michigan, softball |
| 2006 |
Peter Vanderkaay, Michigan, swimming & diving |
Tiffany Weimer, Penn State, soccer |
| 2007 |
Cole Konrad, Minnesota, wrestling |
Jessica Davenport, Ohio State, basketball |
| 2008 |
Brent Metcalf, Iowa, wrestling |
Hannah Nielsen, Northwestern, lacrosse |
| 2009 |
Jake Herbert, Northwestern, wrestling |
Maria Hernandez, Purdue, women's tennis |
