University of Tennessee Athletics
Grant Frerking To Become Tennessee Fund "Shareholders Society" Member
December 29, 2022 | Football
MIAMI – Tennessee football student-athlete and entrepreneur Grant Frerking will make a philanthropic gift to become the newest member of the Tennessee Fund's "Shareholders Society" after his collegiate playing career culminates on Friday night in the Capital One Orange Bowl.
"As my time as a Tennessee student-athlete comes to an end, I am grateful to contribute this gift that will benefit the program that I have given 'My All' and loved for the past six years of my life," Frerking said. "Whether it's on the field or in business, I have always had a passion for pouring myself into others. The people of Tennessee—from my teammates, my coaches, our administration and all of Vol Nation—are truly special, and they deserve the very best.
"I am proud to be the first student-athlete to join the Shareholders Society, and I hope many more in the future will have that opportunity. I look forward to supporting the program anyway I can as a VFL in the future."
The redshirt senior wide receiver out of Atlanta, Georgia, has served on the team's leadership council and been the consummate teammate during his six seasons with the program, including a 2022 campaign that saw the Volunteers capture 10 regular season victories for the first time since 2003.
"Pledging a philanthropic gift as his collegiate career concludes speaks volumes of Grant's character and commitment to Tennessee," Tennessee Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White said. "We are grateful for his contribution and look forward to seeing him continue to accomplish great things in the future."Â
Off the field, Frerking's unique entrepreneurial story began at the age of 15 when he founded his own ground cover solutions company, Metro Straw. The company has since surged into one of the largest in the southeast, serving thousands of residential and commercial clients with branches in Atlanta, Nashville, Birmingham and Charlotte.
Frerking's passion in business as a college football student-athlete has been the perfect match in the Name, Image and Likeness era. He founded GTF Enterprises with the mission of changing the landscape of college athletics through NIL opportunities—including endorsements, engagements, appearances and partnerships.
In September, On3 tabbed the 23-year-old as one of the top 25 most influential figures nationally in the NIL space. Frerking has served as the president of NIL University (NIL U), a branch of On3 that provides resources and a playbook for NCAA student-athletes, their representatives, collectives and colleges to safely and successfully navigate NIL.
On3 recently announced that Frerking will begin duties as Director of On3 Athlete Network Development following the Orange Bowl. The network is an interactive platform that allows high school and college athletes to further understand their respective On3 NIL Valuation and capitalize on additional revenue opportunities.
Frerking earned his undergraduate degree from the prestigious Haslam College of Business in supply chain management in May 2021, and he is working toward completing his master's degree in management and human resources in the spring.
Launched in 2021, the Shareholders Society is the exclusive philanthropic giving society for Tennessee Athletics. The group of generous and committed donors provide critical financial support for UT student-athletes and coaches.
The society, which now features over 400 members, has played a pivotal role in Tennessee's record-setting "My All Campaign" initiative. With close to $200 million pledged prior to the June 2021 campaign launch, total commitments have since climbed to more than $361 million.
Leadership commitment levels within the society structure include $25,000, $50,000, $100,000, $250,000, $500,000, $1 million and beyond.
To learn more about the Shareholders Society or other opportunities to impact the Tennessee student-athlete experience, please call the Tennessee Fund at (865) 974-1218 or log onto TennesseeFund.org, which features live-chat functionality during business hours.
"As my time as a Tennessee student-athlete comes to an end, I am grateful to contribute this gift that will benefit the program that I have given 'My All' and loved for the past six years of my life," Frerking said. "Whether it's on the field or in business, I have always had a passion for pouring myself into others. The people of Tennessee—from my teammates, my coaches, our administration and all of Vol Nation—are truly special, and they deserve the very best.
"I am proud to be the first student-athlete to join the Shareholders Society, and I hope many more in the future will have that opportunity. I look forward to supporting the program anyway I can as a VFL in the future."
The redshirt senior wide receiver out of Atlanta, Georgia, has served on the team's leadership council and been the consummate teammate during his six seasons with the program, including a 2022 campaign that saw the Volunteers capture 10 regular season victories for the first time since 2003.
"Pledging a philanthropic gift as his collegiate career concludes speaks volumes of Grant's character and commitment to Tennessee," Tennessee Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White said. "We are grateful for his contribution and look forward to seeing him continue to accomplish great things in the future."Â
Off the field, Frerking's unique entrepreneurial story began at the age of 15 when he founded his own ground cover solutions company, Metro Straw. The company has since surged into one of the largest in the southeast, serving thousands of residential and commercial clients with branches in Atlanta, Nashville, Birmingham and Charlotte.
Frerking's passion in business as a college football student-athlete has been the perfect match in the Name, Image and Likeness era. He founded GTF Enterprises with the mission of changing the landscape of college athletics through NIL opportunities—including endorsements, engagements, appearances and partnerships.
In September, On3 tabbed the 23-year-old as one of the top 25 most influential figures nationally in the NIL space. Frerking has served as the president of NIL University (NIL U), a branch of On3 that provides resources and a playbook for NCAA student-athletes, their representatives, collectives and colleges to safely and successfully navigate NIL.
On3 recently announced that Frerking will begin duties as Director of On3 Athlete Network Development following the Orange Bowl. The network is an interactive platform that allows high school and college athletes to further understand their respective On3 NIL Valuation and capitalize on additional revenue opportunities.
Frerking earned his undergraduate degree from the prestigious Haslam College of Business in supply chain management in May 2021, and he is working toward completing his master's degree in management and human resources in the spring.
Launched in 2021, the Shareholders Society is the exclusive philanthropic giving society for Tennessee Athletics. The group of generous and committed donors provide critical financial support for UT student-athletes and coaches.
The society, which now features over 400 members, has played a pivotal role in Tennessee's record-setting "My All Campaign" initiative. With close to $200 million pledged prior to the June 2021 campaign launch, total commitments have since climbed to more than $361 million.
Leadership commitment levels within the society structure include $25,000, $50,000, $100,000, $250,000, $500,000, $1 million and beyond.
To learn more about the Shareholders Society or other opportunities to impact the Tennessee student-athlete experience, please call the Tennessee Fund at (865) 974-1218 or log onto TennesseeFund.org, which features live-chat functionality during business hours.
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