Alumnus Buddy Hobart Inspires Juniors to be Better Leaders

Former Carnegie Mellon men’s basketball standout Buddy Hobart returned to campus Wednesday, March 18 to speak with his fellow Tartans about leadership and world-class performance.

Hobart, founder and owner of Pittsburgh-based Solutions 21, is a leadership expert who played basketball for Carnegie Mellon from 1977-81. Solutions 21 has completed consulting engagements and implemented customized training and organizational development programs for a diverse client base, ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies including local, national, and international assignments. Hobart and fellow basketball alum Herb Sendek, who now coaches the Arizona State men’s basketball team, co-authored “Gen Y Now” in 2009. 

"Buddy is a recognized industry leader within his field, and we are truly fortunate to have the opportunity to work with him each year. The program is simply tremendous," said Director of Athletics Josh Centor. "He provides practical and immediate takeaways for our rising senior leaders that will impact their academic, athletic and professional pursuits."

Each junior filled out a leadership profile prior to the presentation and Hobart reviewed the findings on Wednesday. Hobart asserted that all individuals have dominant tendencies when they are put in leadership situations, but understanding that what is needed may not come naturally is an important realization for good leaders.

"The Junior Leadership Symposium is definitely the highlight of the athletic department's leadership program," said Carson Quiros, a member of the women's soccer team. "Mr. Hobart gave an inspiring presentation in which I learned how to be a better leader and teammate to a group of people with very different personalities. I am really looking forward to learning more about my DiSC priorities so that I can become an even better communicator on and off the field."

Men's basketball player Blake Chasen echoed Quiros' statement.

"Mr. Hobart's program was incredibly educational," said Chasen. "I learned about myself and how to be a better teammate and leader. I will absolutely use Mr. Hobart's nine action steps of world class performers in my interactions on and off the basketball court. I look forward to becoming a more thoughtful leader by discovering more about my own DiSC style and the style of others."

This is the seventh consecutive year Hobart has met with select Carnegie Mellon junior student-athletes as part of the athletics department’s Leadership Symposium.