Michigan State University President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D., with the support of the Board of Trustees, has selected J Batt as the university’s next vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics.

Batt currently serves as the vice president and director of athletics at Georgia Tech, where he has led the department since 2022.

“J has an impressive record at several Power 5 schools and an impeccable reputation as a strong and innovative leader,” Guskiewicz said. “He will bring experience, excitement and a commitment to elevating Spartan athletics to the next level. We are thrilled to have J join our leadership team at Michigan State.”

There will be a welcome reception and press conference on Wednesday, June 4 on campus at MSU. Batt’s contract and appointment as vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics will be voted on by the Board of Trustees at its June 13 meeting, he will start the week of June 16.

“This is truly an amazing opportunity to lead an outstanding, tradition-rich and passionate program, and I am grateful to President Guskiewicz and the Board of Trustees for the opportunity,” Batt said. “Working together, in alignment with university leadership, the full athletics department and an enthusiastic fan base, we can take the positive momentum already happening at MSU and reach new levels of success as we move into the next era of intercollegiate athletics. My family and I look forward to joining the Michigan State and East Lansing communities.”

In Batt’s first year guiding the department at Georgia Tech, 14 of 17 varsity programs earned a spot in postseason competition, and the football team has earned back-to-back bowl berths for the first time since 2013-14, marking the program’s first appearance in the Associated Press Top 25 in nine years. During his tenure, the institution broke records in athletic fundraising, surpassing the previous records by more than 40%; set a new record for academic success with a 94% graduation rate; renovated and built facilities (including construction of The Dr. Thomas A. Fanning Student-Athlete Performance Center and planned renovation of Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field); enhanced the gameday experiences for Yellow Jacket fans; and spearheaded corporate sponsorships to provide transformative revenue for athletics. 

Batt also has provided national leadership in collegiate athletics, serving on the House Settlement Implementation Committee charged with guiding the post-settlement era structures, rules and operating principles. He also currently serves as chair of the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia.

“This is a key moment in the history of Michigan State Athletics,” said men’s basketball head coach and current co-interim director of athletics Tom Izzo. “With J Batt’s hiring, President Kevin Guskiewicz has found the right person to lead our department as college athletics continues to evolve. J has displayed tremendous innovation as a leader and has a proven track record of revenue generation. We are excited to welcome J and his family to Michigan State.”  

Prior to taking the helm at Georgia Tech, Batt worked at the University of Alabama from 2017-22, serving as executive deputy director of athletics, chief operating officer and chief revenue officer. He was responsible for guiding revenue generation, including charitable giving, ticket sales and other revenue sources. Batt oversaw the successful development, implementation and launch of the Crimson Standard, Alabama Athletics’ 10-year, $600 million capital initiative.

Before his arrival in Tuscaloosa, Batt was senior associate athletic director and executive director of the Pirate Club at East Carolina University from 2013-17 and held positions at the University of Maryland, James Madison University, William & Mary and the University of North Carolina, his alma mater.

A member of the 2001 NCAA championship men’s soccer team at North Carolina, Batt earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communications and a master’s degree in sports administration from UNC.

Batt and his wife, Leah, have two sons.