Rutgers president Jonathan Holloway this week said he has called for an external investigation into the school's gymnastics program after reports surfaced that former athletic director Patrick Hobbs allegedly had an inappropriate relationship with someone at the school.
Hobbs, who had four years left on his contract at $1.3 million annually, resigned from his post on Aug. 16, citing recently diagnosed cardiac issues.
Holloway's call for an investigation comes just 24 hours after NJ.com released a report noting that before Hobbs quit, he was under investigation by Rutgers for an “inappropriate, consensual relationship.” It has never been reported with whom. Hobb is married and has three children.
NJ.com reported a toxic environment within the gymnastics program, reporting that seven former members of the team said head coach Salim-Beasley led a culture of bullying, exclusion and favoritism.
New Jersey governor Phil Murphy commented on the allegations this week, calling them "ugly."
“I know there is an investigation underway, so I don’t want to preempt that,” Murphy said. “I have no insights into that. But that was really ugly and very disturbing. I’ve reached out to Rutgers at the highest levels. I know they have an internal investigation going, but that was a pretty disgusting set of facts in the paper. We shall see.”
In a statement addressing the situation, Holloway said he has ordered the investigation into the gymnastics team out of concern for the safety and wellbeing of all Rutgers students.
"Recently, reports in the media have raised concerns about the women’s gymnastics team at Rutgers University," Holloway said Saturday in a message he sent to the governing board. "I am confident that the university has applied its policies appropriately as it pertains to the program. Nonetheless, with our students’ well-being in mind, today I called for an external review of the culture and climate of women’s gymnastics to ensure that any allegations related to the team have been comprehensively addressed."
"Our learning environment depends upon the safety, health and mental well-being of all our students, and the university strives in every aspect of our operations to foster an environment where our students can thrive," continued Holloway. "Rutgers Athletics shares this commitment. Whenever concerns or allegations arise about our support for students, the university investigates those concerns in accordance with our policies, the law, and, in the case of Athletics, our NCAA standards. I have taken this step with the full support of our interim director of athletics, Ryan Pisarri."
