For it is in giving that we receive.
These eight words provide a guiding philosophy for for Illinois linebacker TJ Griffin.
Others have noticed Griffin’s commitment to others. The 2022 Stagg graduate and Hickory Hills resident is Illinois’ male nominee for the Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award from the Big Ten.
Student-athletes are nominated based upon demonstrated impact, collaboration and teamwork, consistency and commitment and visibility and advocacy. There are 36 nominees across the conference, with the two winners set to be announced in the spring.
“I found out the same time the rest of my teammates found out,” Griffin said. “We have team meetings most mornings throughout the week and there was a graphic that got put up (on the screen). I was writing down notes and I looked up and there was a picture of me.
“I was like, ‘Why am I on there?’ And then I found out I was nominated for the award. It was a cool moment and it was a surprise in the fact that I was being nominated for it. … Out of all the male athletes at the university, to be selected is an awesome honor.”
After his nomination was revealed, Griffin received applause from his teammates as well as head coach Brett Bielema, who encouraged everyone to honor Griffin with the traditional one loud clap.
There also was a video made in which Bielema and others in the Illinois community spoke of their respect and admiration for Griffin and his commitment to community service.
“Throughout the day, there were different players and coaches who came up to me and were congratulating me,” Griffin said. “They let me know there was nobody better to represent this and be nominated for this award.
“It meant a lot to me, even getting to hear my peers in the video but also in real life. They see the way I interact with people and they see the heart that I have for people. To be noticed by my peers … getting to see the love they have for something that isn’t marked by anything in the scorebook or on the stat sheet, that meant a lot to me because that’s where my heart is.”
Griffin credits his mother with giving him the impetus to begin community service. Kimberly McGraw served in the Navy and wanted to continue helping others upon completion of her military career. By doing nonprofit work, she inspired her son to assist others.
“Being her son, I was always around her,” Griffin said. “I’ve been doing a lot of different nonprofit work and giving back to the community and different people my entire life.
“It started when I was really young because of my mom. She’s been a super-big influence on me. The way that she’s approached life and not being dealt the best hand of cards, she’s always found a way. Just the perseverance that my mom has lived with and also the joy she’s lived with. … There’s always going to be ups and downs but you have the opportunity with your mindset to smile through it all.”
● Western Michigan’s Mary Clare Brusek (Marist) was named the Mid-American Conference’s Offensive Player of the Week in women’s volleyball for Oct. 27. The senior middle blocker and Evergreen Park resident totaled 38 kills and 44 points in two victories over Bowling Green.