Ettrick, Va. (Mar. 10, 2026)-Virginia State Baseball Senior Infielder Norman Jackson has earned a tremendous honor of being one of nine players named to the 2026 Lou Gehrig Community Impact Team. Jackson is the first player from an HBCU to earn the honor.
Norman Jackson is a standout student-athlete and community leader at Virginia State University, where he majors in computer engineering and maintains a 3.9 GPA. A four-year starter for the baseball team, Norman was one of the program's leading hitters in 2025, batting .356 with 32 hits and committing only 3 errors. His consistent performance and clutch play earned him team recognition as the 2025 Clutch Performer. Previously named All-Conference First Team in 2024, he is a cornerstone of the team both on the field and in the clubhouse, exemplifying leadership, work ethic, and dedication.
Off the field, Norman is deeply committed to service and mentorship. He volunteers with the baseball team's Back-to-School and Toy Drives and leads youth baseball clinics teaching fundamental skills. Through Virginia State's Crown HIM organization, he has supported food distribution, campus clean-ups, and community projects at Petersburg Memorial Park. As a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, he has participated in professional development workshops, coat drives, résumé-writing events, and book drives. Norman also contributes to First Baptist Church's Food Pantry Distribution Team in South Hill, Virginia, and serves with Jack and Jill of America on school supply drives, holiday programs, and initiatives for homeless youth.
In addition, Norman is active with the New Chesapeake Men for Progress Education Foundation and has engaged in multiple academic enrichment programs, including STEP at Virginia State University and STEM-focused initiatives at Norfolk State University and North Carolina A&T. A Presidential Scholar and Honors Program member, he also participates in the National Society of Black Engineers and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
"Norman is the definition of leading by example. Off and on the field, he carries himself like a professional. I've been honored to share the field with him for four years." teammate Alex Dayle said.
About the Lou Gehrig Community Impact Team
Since 1955, Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity has presented the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award to the Major League Baseball player who best exemplifies the spirit and character of Lou Gehrig, both on and off the field. Created to memorialize beloved Phi Delta Theta member Lou Gehrig following his death from ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), the award is housed in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York. Through the growing impact of the award, Phi Delta Theta recognizes some of the best men in baseball while positively impacting the ALS community.
To further Lou Gehrig's legacy and his storied baseball career that began at the collegiate level at Columbia University, Phi Delta Theta, in partnership with the Live Like Lou Foundation, introduced the Lou Gehrig Community Impact Team in 2024 to annually recognize the giving character and community impact of collegiate baseball players.
Phi Delta Theta and the Live Like Lou Foundation are proud to announce the 2026 Lou Gehrig Community Impact Team. Honorees were nominated by their schools, and the team was selected based on outstanding achievements in three key areas:
Following the selection of the 2026 team, two players tied for the highest number of votes by the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award Voting Committee and have been named Co-Captains. Zion Rose (Louisville) and Landon Ruesink (Dakota Wesleyan) will have the opportunity to collaborate with Phi Delta Theta and the Live Like Lou Foundation to organize an on-field ceremony dedicated to honoring them and contributing monies to support a family affected by ALS in their local communities.
As a result of a tremendous response that resulted from the call for nominations, Phi Delta Theta and Live Like Lou have named the Lou Gehrig Community Impact Team, an honorable mention team, and an Honorary Captain to recognize an individual associated with college baseball who has made a lasting impact on the ALS community.
