We’re all trying to prevent a really bad mistake or problem from happening in our departments. When a problem happens, the great leaders handle it properly. They take full responsibility, solve it and prevent it from happening again. — Bob Bonn on leadership
Timeline Highlights
1:45 Decision to retire
4:30 Brief career background
9:55 Growing program and adding sports
13:20 Fundraising importance
16:25 Building athletics endowments
20:00 Reflections on changes in the business
22:45 Thoughts on Leadership
27:05 Advice for up and comers
Bio Highlights
Robert Bonn serves as director of athletics and as department chair for exercise and sport science within the division of education.
Bonn came from Pacific University in April 1992 where he served as head men’s basketball coach, athletics director and chair of the department of physical education during his eight-year tenure. Prior to that, Bonn was an assistant men’s basketball coach at both Western New Mexico University and at Framingham State College and head coach for boys basketball and baseball at Westwood High School in Massachusetts.
Under Bonn’s leadership, the Carthage athletic program has become nationally recognized and respected based on significant improvements in facilities, fund raising, coaching expertise and team/athlete success. Athletic participation includes approximately 28 percent of the undergraduate student body, with nearly 800 students involved in 24 NCAA intercollegiate sports (12 men, 12 women).
His latest initiative is the development of an endowment for each of Carthage’s athletic teams, which was started in 2010. As of June 2014, the total athletic endowment is approaching $2.0 million.
Bonn earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education and health from the University of Connecticut in 1974 where he lettered in baseball and lacrosse. He received his master’s degree from Springfield College in 1975 and his doctorate in sport psychology and sociology from Boston University in 1983.
On September 13th, 2017 Bob announced that he would be retiring following the 2017-18 academic year.
Link to article on Bob’s retirement.
[Courtesy: Carthage Athletics]
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