Former Rutgers University athletic director Pat Hobbs is under investigation by the university for allegedly having an “inappropriate consensual relationship.” According to a report from NJ Advance Media:.
Hobbs, who served in the position for nine years, resigned earlier this month, citing health concerns.
“The investigation appears to have prompted his sudden resignation,” NJ Advance Media reported.
Rutgers University did not immediately respond to The Washington Post's request for comment.
Earlier this week, NJ Advanced Media Reported Rutgers University's gymnastics program was in turmoil even before his resignation, with coach Umm Salim Beasley at the center of discontent among athletes.
Some gymnasts reportedly claimed Salim-Beasley had created a “toxic” environment and that their requests for help from Hobbs were ignored.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy spoke publicly about the “internal investigation” on Friday, according to the outlet.
“I know there's an investigation underway, so I'm not going to preempt it,” Murphy said. “I don't know anything about it, but it was a really ugly, very disturbing incident. I've reached out to the CEO of Rutgers University. I know the university is conducting an internal investigation, but the set of facts that was in the paper was really disturbing. We'll see what happens.”
The university thanked Hobbs for his contributions to the institution following his resignation on August 16.
“I want to thank Pat for his incredible nine-year tenure at Rutgers, during which he oversaw the men's and women's teams' leadership on and off the field and successful Big Ten competition,” university President Jonathan Holloway said in an email to university leaders.
Ryan Pisari took over the role on an interim basis.
