Rose Selected as Co-Captain of 2026 Lou Gehrig Community Impact Team
March 04, 2026 | Baseball
The team is presented by Phi Delta Theta and the Live Like Lou Foundation and was selected based on outstanding achievements in three key areas – demonstrating a substantial commitment to their community through service and philanthropy, embodying the generous spirit and character of Lou Gehrig, and making remarkable contributions to the success of their respective teams.
Louisville has now been recognized in all three years of the team's existence, as Kamau Neighbors was named to the 2025 team, while Dylan Hoy was an honorable mention selection on the inaugural team in 2024.
Rose tied for the highest number of votes by the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award Voting Committee to earn the co-captain honor.
"Zion has been a leader, not only on the baseball team, but on this campus since he arrived," head coach Dan McDonnell said. "Being voted team captain in his sophomore year demonstrated his ability to serve others. To compete and do whatever he can to help his team win is why it comes naturally for him to constantly be volunteering his time to serve in this community.
"Our baseball program has a reputation for community service and partnering with several organizations, such as Gilda's Club, St. Joes Orphanage, The Lord's Kitchen, Miracle League, and the Susan G. Komen Walk. What's been so impressive with Zion is his desire to serve other organizations on his own over the past couple of years."
From the official release:
Zion Rose has distinguished himself as a dynamic leader on and off the field for the Louisville Cardinals baseball team. In 2025, he was an integral part of Louisville's run to the College World Series, starting all 66 games and delivering one of the most complete seasons in the ACC. Rose hit .310 with 16 doubles, three triples, and 13 home runs while leading the Cardinals with 67 RBIs. He added 64 runs scored and 31 stolen bases, ranking fourth in the ACC in steals and among the league leaders in RBIs, triples, runs, hits, and total bases. Zion's performance earned him first-team All-ACC honors.
In the classroom, Rose was equally exceptional, earning Academic All-ACC recognition, College Sports Communicators Academic All-America honors, and the 2025 NCAA Elite 90 Award, presented to the student-athlete with the highest GPA among College World Series participants. He also represented his country on the USA Collegiate National Team following the season.
Beyond baseball, Rose is deeply committed to service. He has volunteered with Special Olympics in Chicago, supported families in need through the Players' Alliance Thanksgiving turkey drive, and participated in a mission trip to the Dominican Republic, visiting an all-girls orphanage and serving local communities. In Louisville, he has volunteered with Volunteers of America, the Miracle League, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and local hospitals and schools. Rose believes strongly in servant leadership and consistently seeks opportunities to uplift others, making a lasting impact in every community he serves.
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