The Knight Society announced Rutgers Basketball standout Caleb McConnell as the first official student-athlete to join its roster Aug. 3
McConnell played alongside Knight Society co-founder Geo Baker over the past four seasons on a Scarlet Knights team that made back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances for the first time in nearly 50 years.
“We are excited to announce Caleb as our first athlete within the Knight Society roster,” said Baker. “Caleb is a fifth-year senior who has given blood, sweat and tears to Rutgers University. He is the definition of somebody who bleeds scarlet, and those are the type of people we want both from our athletes and our members.”
Geo Baker and Eric LeGrand announced launching the Knight Society to connect the Rutgers community in May 2022. – KNIGHT SOCIETY
McConnell is the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Last season he registered 70 total steals, leading the Big Ten.
“I am excited to officially join Knight Society and use this platform to interact with all my fans and supporters in new ways,” said McConnell. “I know together we can create something special for the Rutgers community.”
In May, NJBIZ reported on the launch of the Knight Society, which Baker co-founded with another Rutgers standout, Eric LeGrand.
The Knight Society is a concept that uses NFT technology, name image and likeness (NIL) relationships, member benefits and special events to engage Rutgers fans, athletes, students, alumni, faculty and local businesses. Baker was one of the pioneers of the NIL revolution that has swept through college athletics. NJBIZ detailed his NIL journey in March.
“It’s going to change people’s lives. And it’s going to keep people in college, which is the most important thing,” Baker said at the time. “The ball is going to stop bouncing eventually, so just staying educated and making money while you do it.”
