Luke Nathan’s Full Circle Scarlet Knight Journey
Jan 13 | Men's Basketball, R Fund
Former Scarlet Knight Men's Basketball Player Becomes Full-time RU Sports Psychologist
Finding his Scarlet Path
When Luke Nathan walks through the halls of Jersey Mike’s Arena or the RWJBarnabas Health Athletic Performance Center today, the setting feels familiar – but his role has evolved.
Once a forward for the Scarlet Knights men’s basketball program, Nathan RBS’21, GSAPP’25 is now a Sports Psychologist on the Rutgers Behavioral Health and Sport Psychology team, supporting student-athletes in the same environment that shaped him. This model is made possible through Rutgers’ partnership with RWJBarnabas Health, bringing together athletic trainers, physicians, behavioral health clinicians, performance specialists, nutritional experts and others, all in support of the student-athletes.
His journey from walk-on to scholarship student-athlete to Rutgers Health professional is one defined by opportunity, mentorship and the impact of athletic scholarship support.
“Rutgers feels like home,” Nathan said. “There’s no place I’d rather be.”
Nathan arrived on the Banks in the fall of 2017 as a freshman from Randolph, N.J. Like many student-athletes, he came focused on basketball and uncertain about what life after sport might hold. He enrolled in the Rutgers Business School, choosing marketing as a major that offered flexibility alongside the demands of Big Ten athletics. But over time, another interest began to take hold.
“I was always interested in psychology,” Nathan said. “I just didn’t know how that could turn into a career – especially in sports.”
That changed during his time at Rutgers. As a student-athlete, he was exposed to and took advantage of many of the resources offered by sport psychology and behavioral health. Those experiences opened a new perspective – one that reshaped his future beyond the court.
“I didn’t even know sport psychology existed before coming here,” he said. “Being exposed to it at Rutgers changed everything.”
The Scholarship Impact
Nathan began his Scarlet Knights career as a walk-on, earning his place through persistence and commitment. As his fifth year approached, his future – both athletically and academically – was uncertain. That changed when head coach Steve Pikiell awarded Nathan an athletic scholarship.
Former teammate and close friend Geo Baker ’22 saw that commitment daily.
“Luke was probably the best teammate ever,” Baker said. “He embraced whatever role the team needed. He showed up every day, pushed everyone in practice and always did what he thought was best for the group. He just wanted to win and be part of something bigger.”
As a practice player, Nathan’s impact often showed up away from the spotlight. He took pride in helping prepare the team for Big Ten competition – defending starters, simulating opponents and doing whatever was needed to help his team be ready to win. That work earned him opportunities against the nation’s best, including guarding future NBA first-round pick Zach Edey during Rutgers’ buzzer-beat upset of No. 1 Purdue.
That selfless approach did not go unnoticed by the coaching staff.
“Luke represents everything you want in a program,” Pikiell said. “He earned trust, stayed committed, and made the people around him better.”
The scholarship proved pivotal.
“That support allowed me to stay at Rutgers for a fifth year,” Nathan said. “It gave me the chance to continue playing, start graduate school here and stay connected to this community.”
Remaining in Piscataway created continuity at a critical moment – allowing Nathan to begin his graduate education while still immersed in Rutgers Athletics.
Post-Grad and Professional Growth
After graduating with his marketing degree in 2021, Nathan explored graduate school options. Conversations with Dr. Peter Economou helped clarify what was possible at Rutgers.
Dr. Economou serves as Director of Rutgers Behavioral Health & Sport Psychology and is an assistant professor at the Rutgers Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP). He oversees an integrated model that blends behavioral health, performance and wellness within Rutgers Athletics.
Luke had the curiosity and character for this work. Rutgers offered a rare opportunity to combine applied experience, academic training, and athletics.Dr. Peter Economou, Director of Behavioral Health & Sport Psychology
Nathan enrolled in GSAPP’s organizational psychology doctoral program as part of its inaugural cohort. The curriculum emphasized systems thinking, organizational dynamics and applied practice – all highly relevant to athletics.
“It prepares you to work with teams and organizations,” Nathan said. “That background is incredibly important in sports.”
He eventually completed his studies at GSAPP with a PsyD degree in 2025 and officially began his professional career with the Rutgers Behavioral Health team this past July.
Returning to Student-Athlete Support
Today, Nathan is a Sport Psychologist on the Rutgers Behavioral Health and Sport Psychology team, supporting student-athletes across all programs.
“College athletes are in such a unique stage of life,” Nathan said. “There’s pressure everywhere – sport, school, personal life. Having been a student-athlete myself helps me connect.”
Dr. Joshua Bershad, Chief Medical Officer for Rutgers Athletics and Executive Vice President at RWJBarnabas Health, sees the value of that connection.
Luke understands the athletic population because he’s been a participant. That experience builds trust immediately. His journey is a win for what college athletics is supposed to accomplish – fostering success on and off the court. It also demonstrates the power of the partnership between Rutgers and RWJBarnabas Health.Dr. Joshua Bershad, Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Gabby Guzman GSAPP’21, a sport psychologist within the Sport Health team, echoed that perspective.
“Luke connects with student-athletes in a very authentic way,” Dr. Guzman said. “They know he understands their world.”
Rutgers’ integrated approach – uniting athletics, behavioral health and medical care – places the student-athlete experience at the center.
“Not many universities do this the way Rutgers does,” Nathan said. “Everyone is aligned around supporting the whole student-athlete.”
Creating Opportunities
In addition to his clinical work, Nathan has helped develop a summer undergraduate internship program in sport psychology – expanding access to a field that can be difficult to navigate.
“It’s something I wish existed when I was an undergrad,” Nathan said. “Now we can help students understand the field and see what’s possible.”
Giving Back
From walk-on to scholarship student-athlete to Rutgers Health professional, Nathan’s journey has come full circle.
“Rutgers changed my life,” he said. “It gave me opportunities I didn’t even know were possible.”
Now, he’s helping ensure future Scarlet Knights receive the same support.
“I want to give back,” Nathan said. “I want student-athletes to have the opportunities I had.”
Luke Nathan’s story reflects what’s possible when student-athletes are supported at every stage of their journey – from opportunity on the court, to education in the classroom, to meaningful careers beyond competition. Through athletic scholarship support, Rutgers provided the foundation for a path that began in Jersey Mike’s Arena and continues today through Rutgers Behavioral Health, serving the next generation of Scarlet Knights. It is impact that extends far beyond the final buzzer.
Gallery: Luke Nathan's Full Circle RU Journey
