Rutgers AD Pat Hobbs "spent his career building connections in law, in politics and in the sports world," but he has especially "leaned on" former NBA Commissioner David Stern since assuming the post nearly 14 months ago, according to Keith Sargeant of the Newark STAR-LEDGER. Hobbs said of Stern, who graduated from Rutgers in '63, "He's my senior advisor -- there's no question about that. He has been tremendous. ... If you can draw on his advice and counsel, I don't need many more than David Stern.'' Stern said, "Pat Hobbs was brought in to stabilize what's been a lot of turmoil inside athletics. And they seem now to be headed in the right direction.'' Stern sat courtside next to Hobbs at the Big Ten's "Hoops & Hockey" doubleheader at MSG on Saturday, which saw Rutgers play Wisconsin in men's basketball. Stern said, "My advice always is make sure you get adequate resources to not just on the athletics side but on the business side. If you have a good transaction, make sure you have a quick contract to lock it up. And think of yourselves as the metropolitan team. Those of us who went there when it was Rutgers, the State University understand that it's really now trying to appeal to a broader segment. And actually, given the number of Rutgers grads working in the metropolitan area, particularly here in New York, it does have the potential to appeal to a much broader base to get the support that they're trying to get.'' Hobbs said Stern is a "wonderful person, and he loves Rutgers." Hobbs: "He really is the senior advisor to Rutgers athletics right now. And who better than David Stern?'' (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 1/29).
