George Washington University Athletics
Beyond the Buff and Blue: Bob Hobert
5/10/2019 12:59:00 PM | Men's Rowing, My GW: Celebrating our Stories
Senior rower has excelled in all aspects of life at GW
Over four years with GW men's rowing, Bob Hobert has made countless unforgettable memories on the Potomac River.
The waterway has served as a picturesque backdrop for a decorated career in Buff and Blue, from early morning practices alongside teammates who have become like brothers to thrilling races at the annual GW Invitational.
It's one of the reasons the Rock Creek Park Extreme Cleanup has come to mean so much to him.
For the past two years, Hobert has organized a band of fellow Colonials to spend a spring morning filling bags with trash – from cigarette butts to abandoned bikes and all manner of litter in between – plucked from the shoreline around Thompson Boat Center.
"To see all that support from so many different people," Hobert said, "it's really warmed my heart."
With graduation looming, Hobert's legacy as a leader within GW men's rowing, the Athletics department and the wider campus community is secure.
While compiling an impressive athletic and academic resume, the Chicago native has continued to find ways to make a difference. He's devoted dozens of volunteer hours to organizations around the District and pushed others to do the same.
That attitude has made Hobert a perfect fit as president of GW's Student Athlete Advisory Committee. Under his guidance, the organization made up of representatives from all 27 Buff and Blue sports has expanded its programming and reach this school year.
"I actually think the term student-athlete is limited in its capacity of what we should achieve here," Hobert said. "We're not here to just be students or athletes. We're here to become good people and make good relationships, and I wanted to embody that in my four years at GW."
Hobert picked GW because of its reputation for blending elite rowing with world-class academic and professional opportunities. He took full advantage on all fronts over four years as a Colonial.
As an oarsman, Hobert spent three years in GW's Varsity 8, highlighted by a 14th-place showing at IRA Nationals in 2017 that matched the program's best-ever finish.
Hobert was part of the first Buff and Blue contingent to compete at the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta in England in 2016, and he also competed internationally with the U.S. U-23 National Team at the 2017 World Rowing Championships in Bulgaria.
Beyond those accolades, Hobert lifted the program with his passion, positivity and work ethic.
Whether the Colonials were on the erg machines or out on the Potomac, he was often the first to show up and a leader in workouts from start to finish.
"It's very rare that he has an off-day," head coach Mark Davis said. "Because of that, he makes everyone around him better.
"For me personally, I know I have to come to practice and be really good because I know Bob's going to be really good, and I don't want to let him down. He really raised the bar for everybody in the program, coaching staff included."
Hobert's commitment to excellence didn't stop there.
He's been a fixture on the IRA All-Academic Team thanks to his work in the classroom as an International Affairs Major with a concentration in Conflict Resolution. He completed an internship in the U.S. State Department, as well.
Then, there's Hobert's work in the community, particularly in coordination with GW SAAC.
Hobert's lengthy list of service projects has included work with the Special Olympics, Jumpstart after school program and GW's The Store food pantry.
He's long been a leading voice in SAAC, going from community service chair to vice president to president. Along the way, he's pushed the organization to think bigger with team-building events like its annual dodgeball tournament and recent field day and community initiatives like the Rock Creek Park event and its on-going partnership with the Jessie Rees Foundation.
Davis credits Hobert's efforts there with raising the profile of the men's rowing program within the department and pushing the rest of his teammates to be more involved.
"I think that we are on this Earth to make it better," Hobert said. "If you keep your head down and hustle and bustle, it's easy to forget to look up and realize there are other people out there."
Hobert's enthusiastic spirit has been tested, at times, in his final season in Buff and Blue.
Hobert had to work hard throughout the winter to rehabilitate an elbow injury to be back in time for the start of the spring season. He's slowly but surely started to feel more like himself on the water.
Last month's GW Invitational served as a celebration of a splendid collegiate career – and it's not over yet as the Colonials head to Eastern Sprints this weekend with the hope of again qualifying for the IRA National Championship.
It's been an enjoyable journey for Hobert, who leaves behind a proven blueprint for achievement at the highest levels in all aspects of life in Foggy Bottom.
"I think a lot of it was about balance and being able to set priorities," Hobert said. "I guess that's the advice I'd have for younger guys on my team: You will get out of it what you put in."
The waterway has served as a picturesque backdrop for a decorated career in Buff and Blue, from early morning practices alongside teammates who have become like brothers to thrilling races at the annual GW Invitational.
It's one of the reasons the Rock Creek Park Extreme Cleanup has come to mean so much to him.
For the past two years, Hobert has organized a band of fellow Colonials to spend a spring morning filling bags with trash – from cigarette butts to abandoned bikes and all manner of litter in between – plucked from the shoreline around Thompson Boat Center.
"To see all that support from so many different people," Hobert said, "it's really warmed my heart."
With graduation looming, Hobert's legacy as a leader within GW men's rowing, the Athletics department and the wider campus community is secure.
While compiling an impressive athletic and academic resume, the Chicago native has continued to find ways to make a difference. He's devoted dozens of volunteer hours to organizations around the District and pushed others to do the same.
That attitude has made Hobert a perfect fit as president of GW's Student Athlete Advisory Committee. Under his guidance, the organization made up of representatives from all 27 Buff and Blue sports has expanded its programming and reach this school year.
"I actually think the term student-athlete is limited in its capacity of what we should achieve here," Hobert said. "We're not here to just be students or athletes. We're here to become good people and make good relationships, and I wanted to embody that in my four years at GW."
Hobert picked GW because of its reputation for blending elite rowing with world-class academic and professional opportunities. He took full advantage on all fronts over four years as a Colonial.
As an oarsman, Hobert spent three years in GW's Varsity 8, highlighted by a 14th-place showing at IRA Nationals in 2017 that matched the program's best-ever finish.
Hobert was part of the first Buff and Blue contingent to compete at the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta in England in 2016, and he also competed internationally with the U.S. U-23 National Team at the 2017 World Rowing Championships in Bulgaria.
Beyond those accolades, Hobert lifted the program with his passion, positivity and work ethic.
Whether the Colonials were on the erg machines or out on the Potomac, he was often the first to show up and a leader in workouts from start to finish.
"It's very rare that he has an off-day," head coach Mark Davis said. "Because of that, he makes everyone around him better.
"For me personally, I know I have to come to practice and be really good because I know Bob's going to be really good, and I don't want to let him down. He really raised the bar for everybody in the program, coaching staff included."
Hobert's commitment to excellence didn't stop there.
He's been a fixture on the IRA All-Academic Team thanks to his work in the classroom as an International Affairs Major with a concentration in Conflict Resolution. He completed an internship in the U.S. State Department, as well.
Then, there's Hobert's work in the community, particularly in coordination with GW SAAC.
Hobert's lengthy list of service projects has included work with the Special Olympics, Jumpstart after school program and GW's The Store food pantry.
He's long been a leading voice in SAAC, going from community service chair to vice president to president. Along the way, he's pushed the organization to think bigger with team-building events like its annual dodgeball tournament and recent field day and community initiatives like the Rock Creek Park event and its on-going partnership with the Jessie Rees Foundation.
Davis credits Hobert's efforts there with raising the profile of the men's rowing program within the department and pushing the rest of his teammates to be more involved.
"I think that we are on this Earth to make it better," Hobert said. "If you keep your head down and hustle and bustle, it's easy to forget to look up and realize there are other people out there."
Hobert's enthusiastic spirit has been tested, at times, in his final season in Buff and Blue.
Hobert had to work hard throughout the winter to rehabilitate an elbow injury to be back in time for the start of the spring season. He's slowly but surely started to feel more like himself on the water.
Last month's GW Invitational served as a celebration of a splendid collegiate career – and it's not over yet as the Colonials head to Eastern Sprints this weekend with the hope of again qualifying for the IRA National Championship.
It's been an enjoyable journey for Hobert, who leaves behind a proven blueprint for achievement at the highest levels in all aspects of life in Foggy Bottom.
"I think a lot of it was about balance and being able to set priorities," Hobert said. "I guess that's the advice I'd have for younger guys on my team: You will get out of it what you put in."
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Rowing
GW Men's Rowing: This is Not the End
Tuesday, June 29
IRA Training
Tuesday, May 28
2019 Men's Rowing Eastern Sprints
Friday, May 17
Beyond the Buff and Blue: Bob Hobert
Friday, May 10