Aaron Hobson, a seasoned leader and campus recreation professional with Wisconsin roots, will officially join UW-Madison as director of Recreation & Wellbeing in early August.
After growing up in Richland Center, WI playing and loving sports, Hobson earned his B.A. in Kinesiology from UW-Madison, as well as his teaching degree in Physical Education with concentrations in Adaptive Physical Education and Health Education. His career in collegiate recreation began at UW-Madison, where he worked as an intramural sports official. After graduating, he served as a graduate assistant for competitive sports at The Ohio State University, where he earned his M.Ed. in Sports Management.
“I am beyond excited for the opportunity to return to my alma mater and serve as the director of Recreation & Wellbeing,” said Hobson. “UW-Madison’s longtime commitment to the recreation, health, and wellbeing of its students creates a rich environment for Badgers to thrive and develop their whole selves. Rec Well is more than just a building; they are building a movement. I am humbled and honored to help lead this movement by joining the talented Rec Well team and greater Student Affairs leadership team, in order to further the development of a campus culture of holistic wellbeing.”
Since April 2016, Hobson served as the director of operations for Recreational Sports at the University of Florida, overseeing the administration of multiple indoor and outdoor recreation facilities including pools, lakefront properties, a rowing facility, and outdoor multi-purpose recreation fields. He led several program areas including Facility Operations, Indoor and Outdoor Maintenance, Event Services, Membership Services, Assessment, Aquatics, and Risk Management. He was also directly responsible for the department’s capital and facility improvement projects, recently securing funding for synthetic fields and an expansion to the main recreation facility. He places significant emphasis on developing his professional staff and helping students enhance their professional competencies and overall health and wellbeing.
Prior to his role at the University of Florida, Hobson served as the associate director of programs at UW-Madison Rec Sports, now Rec Well. He helped lead multiple program areas including Aquatics, Risk Management, Competitive Sports (now Sport Programs), Fitness & Wellness, and Instructional Programs. He also assisted in the development and approval of the $237 million Master Plan and the design planning of the Near West Fields and Nicholas Recreation Center.
Hobson is a member of several national organizations through which he has held leadership roles and delivered numerous presentations at local, regional, and national conferences, and consulted internationally.
When he’s not at work, he enjoys biking, reading, watching movies, and spending time with his wife Ambre and three young children: Brighton, Oakley, and Lochlan.