Rutgers AD Pat Hobbs has "unveiled a document that establishes the department's mission," and sets goals in the school's football, basketball and Olympic sports for the "foreseeable future," according to Keith Sargeant of the Newark STAR-LEDGER. The 11-page report, titled "The Relentless Pursuit of Excellence," is "aimed at detailing determined goals over a five-year timeframe" for Rutgers athletics. Hobbs said that the "athletics strategic vision is believed to be the first in Rutgers history." The plan follows a February report by College Sports Solutions, and "touches on many of the themes introduced in the CSS report by establishing the department's core purpose." The report states that purpose is "founded on five core values -- excellence, integrity, respect, accountability and grit." The report took "roughly two years to produce, and it comes after Rutgers officials consulted with student-athletes, coaches and donors in recent months" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 5/21).
MARKET ADVANTAGE: In New Jersey, Josh Newman notes part of the strategic plan "outlines a need to improve amenities and customer service at competition venues." In that, Hobbs shows that he is "not naive to the fact Rutgers needs to have more of a digital presence." Hobbs said, "We need to increase the availability of premium seating; we want to have some gathering space where people can come and pre-game and maybe enjoy themselves postgame as well." Newman notes Rutgers has "long touted itself as being in the middle of the world's largest media market," and now "more than ever, Hobbs wants to exploit that fact." Hobbs: "We are New York's Big Ten team, and I don't think we've captured or exploited that advantage. We want to do more of that" (ASBURY PARK PRESS, 5/21).
