Anthony Knox Jr. has been stripped of his 2025 New Jersey state championship and Region 7 wrestling championship, according to court documents revealed Monday. The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) controversies committee voted 8-0 on May 26 to revoke the titles due to violations of the sportsmanship policy and bench rule.
The decision stems from a February 2025 brawl at the N.J. District 25 Wrestling Tournament at Collingswood High School, which also involved Knox's father, Anthony Knox Sr. The incident led to a lengthy legal saga, with Knox initially fighting an NJSIAA disqualification in court.
A previous court ruling sided with Knox, citing insufficient due process, which allowed him to compete in the regional and state tournaments where he secured the now-revoked titles. However, the NJSIAA's recent decision aims to uphold its rules and the integrity of its sports programs.
"We do not come to this conclusion lightly and understand that some may disagree with our revocation of the title won by Knox," the NJSIAA stated in a notice to Mercer County Superior Court Judge Patrick J. Bartels. "However, interscholastic sports are designed to do much more than support student athletic achievement. NJSIAA Rules reflect the fundamental goals of school athletics in supporting personal learning and growth."
The association emphasized that high school athletics should foster qualities such as teamwork, leadership, resilience, sportsmanship, cooperation, and respect, stating that Knox "did not demonstrate these qualities at the tournament on February 22, 2025." The NJSIAA concluded that Knox's actions warranted disqualification and forfeiture under its rules.
The panel that made the decision held an approximately two-hour hearing, hearing testimony from Collingswood police Sgt. Kenneth Jacoby, NJSIAA Executive Director Colleen Maguire, and Collingswood High School athletic director Colleen Hartel. The committee reached its decision after 40 minutes of deliberation.
Knox, who committed to Rutgers and signed an NIL deal earlier this year, was personally served notice of the hearing. He did not attend the NJSIAA controversies committee meeting in May. Knox and his father were initially charged with simple assault for their alleged roles in the brawl. The younger Knox later accepted a plea deal that reduced the charges to disorderly conduct.
A conference in the civil case is scheduled for Wednesday, where Knox's attorney stated he would appear before Judge Bartels via Zoom. The NJSIAA declined to comment on the decision when reached by The Post.