BREAKING: A New Era, A New Leader — J Batt Officially Takes the Helm as Michigan State Athletic Director
By Alex Remington | MSU Insider | June 23, 2025
East Lansing is buzzing with energy, hope, and ambition as J Batt, one of the most respected and dynamic athletic administrators in the nation, has officially assumed the role of Athletic Director at Michigan State University, ushering in what many are already calling a transformative new era for Spartan athletics.
From Tuscaloosa to Tech to East Lansing, J Batt’s journey to MSU is no ordinary tale of a career-climbing executive. It’s the story of a visionary leader who has built a reputation for fusing tradition with innovation, and who now brings his bold blueprint to a Spartan athletic department poised for a resurgence.
A Proven Leader With Championship Credentials
Batt arrives at Michigan State after successful stints as Athletic Director at Georgia Tech and a prior leadership role in the University of Alabama’s powerhouse athletic department, where he oversaw revenue generation, facility development, and program excellence during a historic period of dominance across multiple sports.
At Georgia Tech, Batt transformed the athletic culture within three years—raising over $180 million in donor contributions, modernizing facilities, and helping guide the Yellow Jackets to ACC titles in track, baseball, and women’s basketball. His reputation for turning potential into performance caught the eye of Michigan State’s Board of Trustees after an extensive nationwide search.
> “J Batt isn’t just a strategist—he’s a builder,” said MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz during the official announcement. “He understands that greatness doesn’t come from tradition alone, but from pushing tradition forward.”
Leading with Heart, Building with Vision
Known for his collaborative leadership style, Batt’s first act as AD was to meet privately with every head coach, student-athlete council, and senior staff member across MSU’s 23 varsity sports.
> “This isn’t about me,” Batt said at his first press conference inside the Breslin Center. “This is about us—our student-athletes, our fans, our alumni. We will compete with integrity, innovate boldly, and chase championships the Spartan way: with toughness, heart, and unity.”
Sources close to the athletic department confirm that Batt has already begun drafting a ten-year facilities and innovation master plan, which includes a potential renovation of Spartan Stadium, a new student-athlete wellness complex, and increased NIL support infrastructure to keep Michigan State competitive in the evolving college sports landscape.
A Spartan Future Reimagined
Batt’s hiring also signals a renewed commitment to both athletic and academic excellence. He emphasized his desire to make MSU a national model for holistic athlete development, noting his plans to expand career readiness programs, mental health resources, and alumni mentorship opportunities.
For longtime Spartan fans, the arrival of Batt feels like a return to the program’s core identity—fierce, focused, and future-minded.
> “This isn’t just a new chapter,” said former MSU football great Kirk Cousins. “This feels like a new book. And J Batt is the right author.”
The Road Ahead
With fall sports around the corner and expectations mounting for football, men’s and women’s basketball, hockey, and Olympic sports, all eyes are now on Batt’s next moves. But if his past is any indication, the Spartans are in steady, visionary hands.
As the green-and-white faithful chant louder than ever and new banners wait to be raised, one message rings clear across campus:
A new era of greatness has begun — and J Batt is at the helm.
