Hall of Fame
Carving his niche in Cal U men’s basketball’s storied history was J. Patrick Hobart, who played for the Vulcans from 1963-67.
Considered a small man for the sport at 6-2, Hobart played big for longtime head coach and 2003 Cal U Hall of Fame inductee Myles Witchey.
As a freshman Hobart became a starter and helped the Vulcans win seven of their final nine games after a 5-9 start. Cal U finished second in the NAIA District 18 and averaged 90 points per game, including a single-game school-record 124 points against Lock Haven. Hobart netted a season-best 22 points in a 20-point victory over nationally-ranked Fairmont State.
The following season, Hobart averaged 16.1 points and a school record 18 rebounds a game as Cal U rolled to a 16-8 overall record. His rebounding average ranked 11th nationally and the single-season victory output was the highest in school history at the time.
Hobart was moved to the guard position in 1966-67 and averaged 21 points and 16 rebounds a game. The Vulcans won 16 games, including a 14-5 mark in the PSAC West. Cal U clinched its first of now 18 division titles with a 91-80 victory over Slippery Rock before losing to perennial power Cheyney in the 1967 PSAC “State Game.” Hobart’s 531 points still ranks 14th in single-season school history and he finished with 1,109 career points. He was the seventh out of now 32 Vulcans to surpass the 1,000-point plateau.
While he and Witchey had their share of confrontations back in the tumultuous 1960s, Hobart speaks highly of his collegiate coach.
“He was pretty strict and things were different back then,” said Hobart. “Coaches were not as liberal. He was a young man, I was just a kid and we just did not see eye to eye at times. I don’t hold anything against him now because he’s a good man and really started the winning tradition here. I was a free-spirit you could say and would have been better off playing today.”
A two-time all-conference selection, Hobart also received all-state and All-American honors following the 1967 season. He became the first of just three Vulcan men’s basketball players in school history to score more than 1,000 points with more than 1,000 rebounds.
Though there are incomplete team and individual rebounding records from his playing days, Hobart remains proud of his accomplishments.
“I had long arms and was a great leaper, I could really get up,” Hobart said. “I strongly believe I have every rebounding record here. I know it and God knows it.”
Hobart earned his bachelor’s degree in education from Cal U and served as a student teacher in 1968. He was selected by the Phoenix Suns in the 13th round of the NBA Draft but opted for a teaching career after being informed he would have to travel west without any financial support from the team.
From Cal U he became a teacher and guidance counselor at Brentwood High School for 35 years before retiring in 2003. He earned a master’s degree from Cal U in 1976 and his guidance certification from Duquesne University. Hobart was also an assistant coach with Brentwood’s boys’ basketball team for two years and the Spartans’ head coach for four seasons from 1973-77. The 23-year old Hobart was the youngest head coach in the state when he started and earned Coach of the Year honors in 1977 after Brentwood finished second in the section to Duquesne.
“I coached for the same team my whole career. I loved Brentwood High School, the town and the kids,” said Hobart. “I could have coached elsewhere but just loved it there. I wasn’t that wild about coaching to be honest with you. But I coached a lot of tremendous, tough kids who I am still friends with. God gave me the opportunity to do what I loved which was teaching and counseling kids.”
Originally from Homestead, Pa., Hobart was a standout basketball player for Homestead High School and one year at St. Thomas School in Braddock. In eighth grade, he was a star on the St. Mary Magdalene that won the first-ever Catholic State Championship under legendary coach Francis Manyan.
Hobart resides in Munhall, Pa., and is the father of three grown children – Cal alumnae Meghan ’98 and Bridget ‘00, and Edinboro graduate Maureen.
While a student at Cal U, Hobart knew and was friendly with deceased Presidents Drs. Michael Duda, George Roadman as well as emeritus President Dr. John Watkins, an English professor then. He also praised retired Provost Dr. Nancy Nelson for helping his oldest daughter get into Cal U, and emeritus professor and former Vulcan baseball coach Mitch Bailey.
“California has always made tremendous choices with their presidents,” said Hobart. “Dr. Roadman was my man and Dr. Watkins was a tremendous booster to the athletic program. He and Dean (Allen) Welsh were always at all of our games, home or away.”
Hobart is looking forward to meeting current Cal U President Angelo Armenti, Jr. at the Hall of Fame festivities.
“I don’t know Dr. Armenti personally but you can just see what he’s done,” said Hobart. “I also read a quote from him in the newspaper saying he feels the athletic programs are the front porch of the university and I loved that quote. He’s done a great job.”
Hobart’s admiration for his collegiate alma mater is evident and he even bought alumni bricks in Old Main Park for he and his daughters.
“Hall of Fame or no Hall of Fame I am loyal to California and a Vulcan for life,” he said. “I had all the confidence in the world as an athlete but the professors and administrators here taught me to learn and succeed in the classroom. Their encouragement made a man out of me and I will never forget that. Without Cal U, I would have probably been a steelworker in Homestead instead of doing what I loved.”
