Rutgers Deputy AD Sarah Baumgartner reportedly leaving for Texas

A major void will now need to be filled within the Rutgers athletic department as multiple reports indicate deputy athletic director Sarah Baumgartner is leaving. As first reported by CollegeAD.com and then confirmed by James Kratch of NJ Advance Media , Baumgartner is expected to be hired at Texas for a newly created position within the Longhorns athletic department.

Baumgartner was hired by Rutgers in 2013 by then athletic director Julie Hermann and then promoted to associate athletic director by Pat Hobbs in 2016. Her fundraising efforts have been instrumental in creating the RFund and playing a critical role with the R Big Build campaign that has led to unprecedented facility improvements at Rutgers. New athletics facilities built during her tenure that benefit almost a dozen sports programs include the APC (Athletic Performance Center), the Rodkin Center and the Fred Hill Training Complex. Other projects include locker room improvements and other upgrades for the majority of Rutgers athletics programs.

She also was the lead administrator for women’s basketball and softball.

While this is a major loss for Rutgers, it’s a tremendous opportunity for Baumgartner. She previously worked at Missouri and has been a star since arriving on the banks. Texas is one of the biggest and most successful athletic departments in all of college sports. She is incredibly deserving of whatever position they have created for her to take on.

No word on whether Hobbs will look to replace Baumgartner internally or conduct a national search for her replacement. Finding someone to fill the no. 2 role with her leadership, positive spirit and fundraising abilities is key to maintaining the level of progress that Rutgers athletics has made under her and Hobbs over the past five years.