Rutgers Investigating Pat Hobbs for “Inappropriate” Relationship
Rutgers University has opened up an investigation over allegations of an “inappropriate, consensual relationship” involving former Athletic Director Pat Hobbs according to reports from NJ Advanced Media at the tail end of last week.
The news comes off the heels of Pat Hobbs’ abrupt resignation last month, which, at the time was linked to health-related issues.
According to the initial reports posted on August 30 by NJ Advanced Media, a link is alleged to exist between Hobbs’ resignation and reports of “Chaos” and a “toxic” environment surrounding the Rutgers Gymnastics program and its head coach, Umme Salim-Beasley.
The story states that:
” … [S]even former Rutgers gymnasts and one who remains on the team described a program in chaos, plagued by allegations of favoritism, bullying and revenge by Salim-Beasley.”
Furthermore, the story states that former gymnasts filed complaints about Salim-Beasley to the very top of the Rutgers Athletics program in Pat Hobbs, who, in turn, was “dismissive” according to the report.
“Gymnasts allege Salim-Beasley was unsympathetic toward athletes who experienced mental health issues and physical injuries, tried to take retribution on gymnasts who raised concerns about her coaching methods, and kept churning a roster consistently among the biggest and least successful in the Big Ten.
“The former gymnasts said Hobbs was dismissive when they sought help from him, yet at the same time they noted that Hobbs was a frequent visitor to team meets, practices, and events, and appeared to take an unusual interest in the program.”
Salim-Beasely is still the head coach of the gymnastics program according to the report. She is in her eighth season as head of that program.
In a related report, Governor Phil Murphy, who was in attendance at Rutgers opening football game on August 29, stated on the record at an unrelated event on Friday, that he was disturbed by the story.
“I know there is an investigation underway, so I don’t want to preempt that. I have no insights into that. But that was really ugly and very disturbing,” Governor Murphy told NJ Advanced Media.
Ryan Pisarri has taken over the role of Athletic Director on an interim basis.
At the time of his resignation on August 16, Hobbs stepped away with an Athletic program seeing great success both on the field and in the classroom.
- Men’s hoops has the second best recruiting class in the country this season as Head Coach Steve Pikiell continues his masterful work turning Rutgers into an annual March Madness player. Rutgers has appeared in two NCAA tournaments in recent years.
- With the return of Greg Schiano as head coach of the football program in 2020, the Scarlet Knights have turned things around in a few short years. Last season Rutgers won the Pinstripe Bowl. This year they are off to a 1-0 start.
- Rutgers men’s soccer won the Big Ten title in 2022.
- Rutgers field hockey won the Big Ten title in 2021.
- Rutgers women’s soccer has been in the NCAA Tournament for 12 straight seasons.
Those are a number of the on-field accomplishments. And certainly, more great things are to come for Rutgers sports.
