News Summary
Michigan State University has appointed J Batt as its new athletic director following a comprehensive nationwide search. Batt, who previously served at Georgia Tech, is recognized for his fundraising acumen and will oversee significant projects, including a major stadium renovation. His hiring marks a notable shift for MSU, as it is the first time in three decades that an athletic director has been chosen from outside the institution. Batt is set to assume his duties in mid-June and will focus on navigating the evolving landscape of collegiate athletics.
East Lansing, Michigan – Michigan State University (MSU) has appointed J Batt as its new athletic director after a thorough nationwide search that lasted a month. Batt’s appointment comes as a response to the university’s desire for an athletics leader with exceptional fundraising expertise to navigate the evolving landscape of collegiate athletics. The formal announcement of Batt’s hiring is expected to occur later this week.
Currently, Batt serves as the vice president and director of athletics at Georgia Tech, a position he attained in 2022. During his time at Georgia Tech, he successfully raised over $78 million for athletics in just his first fiscal year and significantly improved the graduation rate for student-athletes to 94% in 2024. Batt brings over a dozen years of experience in athletic administration, having held various high-level positions such as associate or deputy AD at institutions like Maryland, East Carolina, and Alabama.
MSU’s Board of Trustees unanimously endorsed Batt’s selection during a recent phone call with President Kevin Guskiewicz. Under the terms of his new position, Batt will sign a six-year contract worth more than $1.5 million annually, which is a notable increase from the salary of former AD Alan Haller, who earned less than $1 million. Additionally, MSU will incur a buyout cost exceeding $1 million to Georgia Tech as Batt had signed a contract extension with the Atlanta school in December 2023 that extends through 2029.
At 43 years old, Batt previously earned $1.2 million per year under his extension at Georgia Tech. His notable administrative work at Alabama involved focusing on revenue generation and supporting men’s basketball, where he developed a strong working relationship with renowned coach Nick Saban.
Batt’s hiring comes precisely a month after the dismissal of former AD Alan Haller, who left the role due to MSU’s aim to find a candidate with substantial fundraising capabilities. This strategic shift is crucial as the collegiate athletics sector faces significant changes, including potential new regulations that could influence roster limits and revenue sharing among schools.
Additionally, among Batt’s responsibilities will be overseeing the renovation of Spartan Stadium, a project expected to exceed $30 million and has already received approval from the Board of Trustees. His experience in raising funds for facility renovations at both Georgia Tech and Alabama is particularly relevant to this upcoming challenge at MSU.
Notably, Batt’s appointment marks the first time in 30 years that MSU has hired an athletic director from outside the institution. The last five individuals in this role were promoted from within, a testament to the traditional practices previously followed by the university.
Preparations are underway for an on-campus press conference scheduled for this week, where Batt will be officially introduced. He is set to assume his responsibilities in mid-June. In addition to his extensive administrative background, Batt participated on the House Settlement Implementation Committee, focusing on the new structures and regulations in collegiate athletics following significant lawsuits against the industry.
Batt holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communications and a master’s degree in sports administration, both from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He was also a member of the men’s soccer team at UNC that secured an NCAA championship in 2001. Alongside his professional career, Batt, his wife Leah, and their two sons are expected to become active members of the East Lansing community.
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Additional Resources
- Detroit Free Press: Michigan State Names J Batt as New Athletic Director
- Wikipedia: Michigan State University
- Detroit News: Why Michigan State Hired J Batt as Its Next Athletic Director
- Google Search: Michigan State Athletic Director
- On3: Michigan State Officially Names J Batt Next Athletic Director
- Google Scholar: Athletic Directors
- MLive: Michigan State Lands New AD in J Batt
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Athletic Administration
- ClickOnDetroit: Michigan State Names New Athletic Director
- Google News: J Batt Michigan State
