Michigan State University Athletics
Vice President/Director of Athletics Dan Bartholomae Introductory Press Conference Coverage
8/19/2026 6:17:00 PM | General
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Dan Bartholomae, who was announced on Monday as the Vice President/Director of Athletics at Michigan State University, held his introductory press conference in front of supporters, athletics staff and media on Wednesday inside the Tom Izzo Hall of History at the Breslin Center. The event was televised live on the Big Ten Network.
Below is a transcript of the press conference:
Opening comments:
Michigan State University President Kevin M. Guskiewicz
Good afternoon. It is a great day to be a Spartan, and thanks to all of you for joining us today, especially on relatively short notice. I'm thrilled that you could join us to be part of this special day.
I'd like to begin by thanking the members of our Board of Trustees who joined us today – Trustee Rebecca Bahar-Cook, Trustee Dennis Denno, and Trustee Kelly Tebay. I also want to thank all of those who played an integral role in helping us throughout this search process for Michigan State University's next athletics director, and we are grateful for the support that we had to land an outstanding new athletics director.
Michigan State holds a proud place in intercollegiate athletics. Today, we are home to 23 varsity sports backed by a tradition of excellence, a passionate fan base – many of whom joined us here today – and a clear vision for our future. In the past year, Spartan
Athletics has delivered powerful performances both in the classroom and in competition:
Men's tennis won its first conference title since 1967.
Men's ice hockey captured its third consecutive Big Ten regular-season championship and advanced to the NCAA regional final.
Women's soccer advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals for the first time ever.
Men's and women's golf and women's gymnastics all represented Michigan State at their respective NCAA championships.
Men's basketball again reached the NCAA Sweet 16, while women's basketball reached the Round of 32.
Our student-athletes continue raising the bar for academic success as well. They matched the highest graduation rate in department history and posted graduation success rates among the very best in the Big Ten. In May, Spartan student athletes topped a 3.5 cumulative GPA over 3.5 for the first time in department history. These students also continue to honor us through their supportive engagement in the community, which speaks to the character and dedication that represent Michigan State so well.
All of this success is due to so many people who dedicate their time, talent, and energy to this place. Many are here today. I want to acknowledge our incredible staff and coaches – you are lifelong mentors for our student athletes and put in the effort day in and day out. We owe a debt of gratitude to you as well.
I would like to add my special thanks to Jon Palumbo, for serving as interim athletics director, and for continuing to lead Spartan Ventures, for the steady hand, great vision and care for our people. Jon's leadership was creating new opportunities for the future of Spartan Athletics, for our student athletes and our coaches. And for that, we are grateful. Jon, thank you.
We all know that college athletics today is in an especially dynamic state, with evolving rules and economics that create new challenges for institutions to compete and excel at the highest level. The future will certainly belong to those universities that embrace innovation while remaining grounded in their mission. Here at MSU, our task is to equip our student-athletes with the resources and experiences to prepare them to compete at the highest level, even as they pursue a world-class MSU education and graduate as leaders who will make a difference long after their playing days are over.
And I know that Dan Bartholomae shares that understanding and that commitment. He has the experience, the vision, and the values to lead Spartan Athletics into this new chapter while working closely with our internal and external stakeholders. Dan will lead an already strong program, and I'm certain he will push us all to new areas of excellence. Dan comes to us with a substantial background. He's accrued experience in critical functions, including athletic department operations and internal affairs, student support and program compliance, community engagement and academic achievement, capital projects and public-private partnerships, fundraising and external revenue growth, and of course, building winning programs. His excellence was recognized when he was named a finalist for the Sports Business Journal 2026 Athletic Director of the Year this past year.
With Dan, I am confident that we are entering this new era of intercollegiate athletics with a bold, energized, and visionary leader who understands the importance of building trusting relationships with our coaches, student-athletes, senior leaders, Board of Trustees, faculty, alumni, and donors. This is all very critical for our success at Michigan State University.
For all these reasons, I am thrilled and excited to welcome Dan Bartholomae as Michigan State's next Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. I'm also pleased to welcome Dan's wife, Lauren, and their children, Dylan and Lily, into our Michigan State family.
Before I invite Dan up to the stage, I'll share a quick story. As we were wrapping up a meeting about a week ago, I noticed on his cell phone there was a picture, a screen saver picture. I asked about the picture and if that was his family, and he said, yes, my family, and he was quick to open it and show me. And he said, you're not going to believe this, but that picture was taken last year at Spartan Stadium. And so, I think he and his family were destined to join our Spartan family, and to be back in Spartan Stadium for this year's kickoff game, and for many, many years to come, but will always be wearing the Spartan Green and White.
Please join me in welcoming Michigan State's new Athletic Director, the 22nd Athletic Director, Dan Bartholomae.
MSU's 22nd Athletic Director Dan Bartholomae:
Kevin, you said it first—is it a great day to be a Spartan? (applause)
How about a nod to the band? One of the world-class bands in Division I athletics, I can't wait to work with you. Also, of course, the spirit squad! Thank you both for being here. Nobody works harder than the spirit squad. They're at everything. I will try to be there at everything. They're at everything.
The staff has heard me say it, the coaches have heard me say it, anyone who has passed me in a hallway over the past 36 hours has probably heard me say it: I am so excited and so honored to be your athletic director here at Michigan State University. In simple terms, this is a dream come true for me. The opportunity to work at the best institution, in the best state, and in the best conference in the country. It is an opportunity to serve some of the most talented student athletes in the world, who we are so fortunate to have at this great university, and to prepare them for a meaningful and fulfilling life after college. It is an opportunity to serve alongside a staff of professionals and coaches who pour their hearts and souls into this work every single day, and to help them develop, so they can achieve their own dreams. It is the opportunity to serve the university community and faculty as a true partner and achieving a purpose much larger than any one department. And it is the opportunity to elevate and energize a community of alumni and supporters around one of America's greatest pastimes. This is the opportunity of a lifetime. It is a destination job, and I am incredibly grateful that you have entrusted me to deliver.
A moment like this is never achieved alone. On a personal note, I want to thank the mentors who have played a meaningful role in my journey throughout college athletics. First, I would like to thank the leaders in athletics who challenged me, inspired me to become a better professional, and who continued to be mentors and friends.
Donna Sanft, former gymnastics coach and Deputy Athletic Director and Senior Women's Sport Administrator at Pitt, who hired me for my first full-time job. Donna taught me that the student-athlete is at the core of everything we do, she lived it. And for that reason, it remains at the core of who I am.
Steve Pederson, former Athletic Director at Nebraska and Pitt, who taught me the importance of preparation and attention to detail. He showed me that in matters of style you swim with the current, but it manners of principle and integrity, you stand like a rock.
Scott Barnes, former AD at Pitt and recently retired athletic director at Oregon State. Scott taught me that a vision that isn't bold—and maybe even a little frightening—is probably not the right vision. He gave me the autonomy, support, and courage to lead on my own, and to make mistakes and learn from them. Most importantly, he showed me the importance of the campus and community partnership, and what it means to be a great citizen of the university beyond the athletic department.
I am incredibly thankful for the relationships, mentorship, and support I received in Kalamazoo as the Athletic Director at Western Michigan. Western Michigan is an incredibly special place with incredibly special people who have worked together to produce special results over the last few years. It was an honor and privilege to be a part of it, and I leave a piece of my heart there. I'm particularly thankful to former President Ed Montgomery, who hired me, and for trusting me with my first AD opportunity. To Bill Johnston, chairman of Greenleaf Companies who provided steady council and support. And to President Russ Kavalhuna, who, in a very short year, became a trusted mentor and friend. I know he will lead that university to new heights it has never seen.
I'm also blessed to have an amazing family, who you will get to know.
First my parents, both lifelong educators, who have always taken an interest in my career, offered guidance whenever I asked, and showered all of us with their love. My mom is watching online with my sister, I know my brother is watching somewhere as well, and we all know my dad is watching from somewhere—and he would have thought that this was something.
My kids, Dylan, he's a 16-year-old high school junior, he's a pretty good soccer player, he spends a lot of time on it, and Lily is a 14-year-old high school freshman, she's a heck of a gymnast and transitioning into being a really, really talented cheerleader. They are embarking on move number three in their lives. What I want you to know is that they received this news with so much love, support, and pride for their dad and our family. Their resilience, compassion and accomplishments make me proud every single day.
And finally, my wife, Lauren, an unbelievable mom, wife, teacher, and yoga professional who is also just two semesters shy from finishing her second master's degree, this time in clinical mental health counseling, a skill that my kids and I can promise you that she is very good at. This profession can be a lot, so she gets the keys to the ship, and I can tell you it is a smooth and elegant ride, with the best captain there is. I can't wait to have you meet all three of them because they are great, great people.
I'm also thankful for the new friends and partners I've made at Michigan State University in just a short time, who welcomed me, and taught me so much during this process. That include Harlod Balk, Christophor Melde, Steve Smith, April Clobes, Rick Lasch, Kelly Tebay, Dennis Denno, Pat Fitzgerald, Robyn Fralick, Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll and Phil Hickey. I want to thank Greg and Dawn Williams, with whom I shared meaningful conversations about my vision for Michigan State and the exciting future ahead of us. I want to thank an old friend and mentor from Kalamazoo, who will continue to be an important partner and Spartan Alum as I take on this challenge, Aaron Zeigler.
And I want to thank Tom Izzo. Our relationship started during my first few months at Western Michigan in 2022, I was sitting in my office, and I get a random call a 517 number. And I thought 'maybe I'll pick this up.' It was Coach, calling simply to get to know me, and to offer his advice and support to a new AD in the state, who he saw had big dreams and big aspirations. Coach, I answered the call then, and I'll always answer moving forward. I very much appreciate your counsel, and we're going to be great teammates.
I want to thank President Kevin Guskiewicz, the real and most important draw to this job for me. I met president President Guskiewicz two years ago when Western Michigan took on Michigan State in the NCAA Women's Soccer championships. I left that meeting being excited about our Pittsburgh connections, our shared love for the Steelers, and most importantly, our shared passion for collegiate athletics and being excellent. I'm now honored to be his teammate as we take on an ambitious plan to elevate Michigan State University through the impact of athletics.
Finally, I want to thank Jon Palumbo, who graciously spent two hours with me yesterday, and it was the most educational two hours that I've had since I've been on campus. Jon is incredibly talented, and you all were incredibly lucky at having him serve this university as interim athletic director, and he did it with incredible skill and professionalism. And I'm very much looking forward to being on a team with him.
And a heartful nod and thank you to my friend, J Batt. This place is in great shape, with a great opportunity to elevate quickly, with many thanks to his leadership.
Choosing Michigan State University was easy, and I believe there were three qualities that immediately set this place apart:
The first is the people. A basketball coach who calls a new athletic director at another school simply to just offer advice. A president who prioritizes relationships before anything else. A donor base that has already gone out of its way to welcome us and be helpful. And if I haven't returned your call, I'm sorry, I've got like 600 unread text messages – it will happen in the next 24-36 hours. A staff that has greeted me with warmth, smiles and excitement. Our people are our greatest asset, and we're going to activate that asset.
The second is the foundation that already exists. Everyone I met with yesterday said essentially the same thing. Everything we need to achieve our most aspirational goals is already here. This is Michigan State. We have big goals – For Sparta, the stadium district, Spartan Ventures, the Big Ten, supporting our new outstanding football coach, to win at the highest levels. NCAA Championships, we should never settle for anything less than the best, because the best is right here at our disposal already.
And the third is our mentality, and it's my favorite. We have a blue collar, roll-up-your-sleeves mentality that separates us a little bit in this state and in this conference, and I like that. I want to be somewhere where part of the plan is simply to out-work our competition. That's a style I believe in. And that gets me to the vision: Spartan Excellence Without Exception.
The standards will be high, and the expectations will match that. We can achieve extraordinary things at Michigan State University by challenging the status quo and continuously aiming higher. I told our staff we're going to work really hard. Maybe even harder than you ever worked in your life. But it's going to be fun. And there's going to be a lot of Green & White confetti rolling around this campus real soon. And most importantly, we're going to do it together.
So, what does Spartan Excellence Without Exception mean?
It means we will create the greatest student-athlete experience in the country. Our student athletes will compete at the highest levels. They will receive a world class education, and they will be prepared to pursue their passions, lead with purpose, and make a difference long after their eligibility is exhausted. It means we will be amazing community partners. Both here in East Lansing and across our Spartan family around the entire world. Athletics will be a welcoming entry point to Michigan State University. Our events will energize you. They will be fun. They're supposed to be, this is college athletics. They will be different. They will be innovative, and they will leave you wanting to invest your time, passion, and energy with Michigan State. It means that we will serve the university as amazing partners, drawing upon the exceptional knowledge, expertise, and resources already present within our university community. We will aim not just to be the university's front porch, offering a welcoming and accessible point of entry, but also as a bridge, a hallway, that connects people to the many outstanding programs, opportunities, and resources that are available across Michigan State University.
And finally, I'm competitive. It means we will compete and we will win at the highest level. And when you compete in the Big Ten Conference, that means national championships. I walked into the administrative building yesterday, I walked by that wall of national championships at the entrance to our offices on the way to this press conference, and I thought to myself, 'it has been too long.' We will play to win, and when we do, we're going to celebrate the heck out of it, all of us, together. And we will get there, because we will have a plan. Implementing this vision – Spartan Excellence Without Exception – will take time. And it will require meaningful input and feedback from our teams and athletes, our coaches and staffs, our faculty, our alumni, our internal and external partners. But together, we will create a plan that inspires and unites this community, establishes ambitious goals, and provides a clear path for how we will accomplish them. Ladies and gentlemen, I cannot wait to get started.
And I'll leave you with about what all this means to me. Because it means a lot. When I started in this industry as an administrative graduate assistant in 2002, aside from sorting mail and getting people coffee, one of my first jobs was to connect our student athletes with members of the community to help them find jobs after college. I have had hundreds of responsibilities since that moment. But that mission, serving student athletes, building community through connection and advancement, that has never left me. And in those first few weeks on the job, I knew that it was my dream, my dream, to become a Division I athletic director at the highest level. So, folks, I'm living my dream today. And that is the energy you're going to get from me every single day I walk into that office across the street. And I have a name for it – I call it Dream Energy – and I believe it is the most powerful force on the planet. Here's the catch, and I've learned this in the last 36 hours. Mine alone won't do it. This is too big; I need all of your dream energy. And if somewhere along the way you've lost it, I understand. But I'm going to tell you right now, I'm going to be back here on the 31st and I'm asking you to go find it. So, let's do this together. And we're going to finish off this press conference, the way we're going to win national championships – together. We're going to stand up if you can, and we're going to do the loudest Go Green, Go White in the history of Michigan State University press conferences. Do me this honor everybody. I get to do the Go Green. Ready? Go Green! (Go White!) Thank you! Let's get to work!
Below is a transcript of the press conference:
Opening comments:
Michigan State University President Kevin M. Guskiewicz
Good afternoon. It is a great day to be a Spartan, and thanks to all of you for joining us today, especially on relatively short notice. I'm thrilled that you could join us to be part of this special day.
I'd like to begin by thanking the members of our Board of Trustees who joined us today – Trustee Rebecca Bahar-Cook, Trustee Dennis Denno, and Trustee Kelly Tebay. I also want to thank all of those who played an integral role in helping us throughout this search process for Michigan State University's next athletics director, and we are grateful for the support that we had to land an outstanding new athletics director.
Michigan State holds a proud place in intercollegiate athletics. Today, we are home to 23 varsity sports backed by a tradition of excellence, a passionate fan base – many of whom joined us here today – and a clear vision for our future. In the past year, Spartan
Athletics has delivered powerful performances both in the classroom and in competition:
Men's tennis won its first conference title since 1967.
Men's ice hockey captured its third consecutive Big Ten regular-season championship and advanced to the NCAA regional final.
Women's soccer advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals for the first time ever.
Men's and women's golf and women's gymnastics all represented Michigan State at their respective NCAA championships.
Men's basketball again reached the NCAA Sweet 16, while women's basketball reached the Round of 32.
Our student-athletes continue raising the bar for academic success as well. They matched the highest graduation rate in department history and posted graduation success rates among the very best in the Big Ten. In May, Spartan student athletes topped a 3.5 cumulative GPA over 3.5 for the first time in department history. These students also continue to honor us through their supportive engagement in the community, which speaks to the character and dedication that represent Michigan State so well.
All of this success is due to so many people who dedicate their time, talent, and energy to this place. Many are here today. I want to acknowledge our incredible staff and coaches – you are lifelong mentors for our student athletes and put in the effort day in and day out. We owe a debt of gratitude to you as well.
I would like to add my special thanks to Jon Palumbo, for serving as interim athletics director, and for continuing to lead Spartan Ventures, for the steady hand, great vision and care for our people. Jon's leadership was creating new opportunities for the future of Spartan Athletics, for our student athletes and our coaches. And for that, we are grateful. Jon, thank you.
We all know that college athletics today is in an especially dynamic state, with evolving rules and economics that create new challenges for institutions to compete and excel at the highest level. The future will certainly belong to those universities that embrace innovation while remaining grounded in their mission. Here at MSU, our task is to equip our student-athletes with the resources and experiences to prepare them to compete at the highest level, even as they pursue a world-class MSU education and graduate as leaders who will make a difference long after their playing days are over.
And I know that Dan Bartholomae shares that understanding and that commitment. He has the experience, the vision, and the values to lead Spartan Athletics into this new chapter while working closely with our internal and external stakeholders. Dan will lead an already strong program, and I'm certain he will push us all to new areas of excellence. Dan comes to us with a substantial background. He's accrued experience in critical functions, including athletic department operations and internal affairs, student support and program compliance, community engagement and academic achievement, capital projects and public-private partnerships, fundraising and external revenue growth, and of course, building winning programs. His excellence was recognized when he was named a finalist for the Sports Business Journal 2026 Athletic Director of the Year this past year.
With Dan, I am confident that we are entering this new era of intercollegiate athletics with a bold, energized, and visionary leader who understands the importance of building trusting relationships with our coaches, student-athletes, senior leaders, Board of Trustees, faculty, alumni, and donors. This is all very critical for our success at Michigan State University.
For all these reasons, I am thrilled and excited to welcome Dan Bartholomae as Michigan State's next Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. I'm also pleased to welcome Dan's wife, Lauren, and their children, Dylan and Lily, into our Michigan State family.
Before I invite Dan up to the stage, I'll share a quick story. As we were wrapping up a meeting about a week ago, I noticed on his cell phone there was a picture, a screen saver picture. I asked about the picture and if that was his family, and he said, yes, my family, and he was quick to open it and show me. And he said, you're not going to believe this, but that picture was taken last year at Spartan Stadium. And so, I think he and his family were destined to join our Spartan family, and to be back in Spartan Stadium for this year's kickoff game, and for many, many years to come, but will always be wearing the Spartan Green and White.
Please join me in welcoming Michigan State's new Athletic Director, the 22nd Athletic Director, Dan Bartholomae.
MSU's 22nd Athletic Director Dan Bartholomae:
Kevin, you said it first—is it a great day to be a Spartan? (applause)
How about a nod to the band? One of the world-class bands in Division I athletics, I can't wait to work with you. Also, of course, the spirit squad! Thank you both for being here. Nobody works harder than the spirit squad. They're at everything. I will try to be there at everything. They're at everything.
The staff has heard me say it, the coaches have heard me say it, anyone who has passed me in a hallway over the past 36 hours has probably heard me say it: I am so excited and so honored to be your athletic director here at Michigan State University. In simple terms, this is a dream come true for me. The opportunity to work at the best institution, in the best state, and in the best conference in the country. It is an opportunity to serve some of the most talented student athletes in the world, who we are so fortunate to have at this great university, and to prepare them for a meaningful and fulfilling life after college. It is an opportunity to serve alongside a staff of professionals and coaches who pour their hearts and souls into this work every single day, and to help them develop, so they can achieve their own dreams. It is the opportunity to serve the university community and faculty as a true partner and achieving a purpose much larger than any one department. And it is the opportunity to elevate and energize a community of alumni and supporters around one of America's greatest pastimes. This is the opportunity of a lifetime. It is a destination job, and I am incredibly grateful that you have entrusted me to deliver.
A moment like this is never achieved alone. On a personal note, I want to thank the mentors who have played a meaningful role in my journey throughout college athletics. First, I would like to thank the leaders in athletics who challenged me, inspired me to become a better professional, and who continued to be mentors and friends.
Donna Sanft, former gymnastics coach and Deputy Athletic Director and Senior Women's Sport Administrator at Pitt, who hired me for my first full-time job. Donna taught me that the student-athlete is at the core of everything we do, she lived it. And for that reason, it remains at the core of who I am.
Steve Pederson, former Athletic Director at Nebraska and Pitt, who taught me the importance of preparation and attention to detail. He showed me that in matters of style you swim with the current, but it manners of principle and integrity, you stand like a rock.
Scott Barnes, former AD at Pitt and recently retired athletic director at Oregon State. Scott taught me that a vision that isn't bold—and maybe even a little frightening—is probably not the right vision. He gave me the autonomy, support, and courage to lead on my own, and to make mistakes and learn from them. Most importantly, he showed me the importance of the campus and community partnership, and what it means to be a great citizen of the university beyond the athletic department.
I am incredibly thankful for the relationships, mentorship, and support I received in Kalamazoo as the Athletic Director at Western Michigan. Western Michigan is an incredibly special place with incredibly special people who have worked together to produce special results over the last few years. It was an honor and privilege to be a part of it, and I leave a piece of my heart there. I'm particularly thankful to former President Ed Montgomery, who hired me, and for trusting me with my first AD opportunity. To Bill Johnston, chairman of Greenleaf Companies who provided steady council and support. And to President Russ Kavalhuna, who, in a very short year, became a trusted mentor and friend. I know he will lead that university to new heights it has never seen.
I'm also blessed to have an amazing family, who you will get to know.
First my parents, both lifelong educators, who have always taken an interest in my career, offered guidance whenever I asked, and showered all of us with their love. My mom is watching online with my sister, I know my brother is watching somewhere as well, and we all know my dad is watching from somewhere—and he would have thought that this was something.
My kids, Dylan, he's a 16-year-old high school junior, he's a pretty good soccer player, he spends a lot of time on it, and Lily is a 14-year-old high school freshman, she's a heck of a gymnast and transitioning into being a really, really talented cheerleader. They are embarking on move number three in their lives. What I want you to know is that they received this news with so much love, support, and pride for their dad and our family. Their resilience, compassion and accomplishments make me proud every single day.
And finally, my wife, Lauren, an unbelievable mom, wife, teacher, and yoga professional who is also just two semesters shy from finishing her second master's degree, this time in clinical mental health counseling, a skill that my kids and I can promise you that she is very good at. This profession can be a lot, so she gets the keys to the ship, and I can tell you it is a smooth and elegant ride, with the best captain there is. I can't wait to have you meet all three of them because they are great, great people.
I'm also thankful for the new friends and partners I've made at Michigan State University in just a short time, who welcomed me, and taught me so much during this process. That include Harlod Balk, Christophor Melde, Steve Smith, April Clobes, Rick Lasch, Kelly Tebay, Dennis Denno, Pat Fitzgerald, Robyn Fralick, Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll and Phil Hickey. I want to thank Greg and Dawn Williams, with whom I shared meaningful conversations about my vision for Michigan State and the exciting future ahead of us. I want to thank an old friend and mentor from Kalamazoo, who will continue to be an important partner and Spartan Alum as I take on this challenge, Aaron Zeigler.
And I want to thank Tom Izzo. Our relationship started during my first few months at Western Michigan in 2022, I was sitting in my office, and I get a random call a 517 number. And I thought 'maybe I'll pick this up.' It was Coach, calling simply to get to know me, and to offer his advice and support to a new AD in the state, who he saw had big dreams and big aspirations. Coach, I answered the call then, and I'll always answer moving forward. I very much appreciate your counsel, and we're going to be great teammates.
I want to thank President Kevin Guskiewicz, the real and most important draw to this job for me. I met president President Guskiewicz two years ago when Western Michigan took on Michigan State in the NCAA Women's Soccer championships. I left that meeting being excited about our Pittsburgh connections, our shared love for the Steelers, and most importantly, our shared passion for collegiate athletics and being excellent. I'm now honored to be his teammate as we take on an ambitious plan to elevate Michigan State University through the impact of athletics.
Finally, I want to thank Jon Palumbo, who graciously spent two hours with me yesterday, and it was the most educational two hours that I've had since I've been on campus. Jon is incredibly talented, and you all were incredibly lucky at having him serve this university as interim athletic director, and he did it with incredible skill and professionalism. And I'm very much looking forward to being on a team with him.
And a heartful nod and thank you to my friend, J Batt. This place is in great shape, with a great opportunity to elevate quickly, with many thanks to his leadership.
Choosing Michigan State University was easy, and I believe there were three qualities that immediately set this place apart:
The first is the people. A basketball coach who calls a new athletic director at another school simply to just offer advice. A president who prioritizes relationships before anything else. A donor base that has already gone out of its way to welcome us and be helpful. And if I haven't returned your call, I'm sorry, I've got like 600 unread text messages – it will happen in the next 24-36 hours. A staff that has greeted me with warmth, smiles and excitement. Our people are our greatest asset, and we're going to activate that asset.
The second is the foundation that already exists. Everyone I met with yesterday said essentially the same thing. Everything we need to achieve our most aspirational goals is already here. This is Michigan State. We have big goals – For Sparta, the stadium district, Spartan Ventures, the Big Ten, supporting our new outstanding football coach, to win at the highest levels. NCAA Championships, we should never settle for anything less than the best, because the best is right here at our disposal already.
And the third is our mentality, and it's my favorite. We have a blue collar, roll-up-your-sleeves mentality that separates us a little bit in this state and in this conference, and I like that. I want to be somewhere where part of the plan is simply to out-work our competition. That's a style I believe in. And that gets me to the vision: Spartan Excellence Without Exception.
The standards will be high, and the expectations will match that. We can achieve extraordinary things at Michigan State University by challenging the status quo and continuously aiming higher. I told our staff we're going to work really hard. Maybe even harder than you ever worked in your life. But it's going to be fun. And there's going to be a lot of Green & White confetti rolling around this campus real soon. And most importantly, we're going to do it together.
So, what does Spartan Excellence Without Exception mean?
It means we will create the greatest student-athlete experience in the country. Our student athletes will compete at the highest levels. They will receive a world class education, and they will be prepared to pursue their passions, lead with purpose, and make a difference long after their eligibility is exhausted. It means we will be amazing community partners. Both here in East Lansing and across our Spartan family around the entire world. Athletics will be a welcoming entry point to Michigan State University. Our events will energize you. They will be fun. They're supposed to be, this is college athletics. They will be different. They will be innovative, and they will leave you wanting to invest your time, passion, and energy with Michigan State. It means that we will serve the university as amazing partners, drawing upon the exceptional knowledge, expertise, and resources already present within our university community. We will aim not just to be the university's front porch, offering a welcoming and accessible point of entry, but also as a bridge, a hallway, that connects people to the many outstanding programs, opportunities, and resources that are available across Michigan State University.
And finally, I'm competitive. It means we will compete and we will win at the highest level. And when you compete in the Big Ten Conference, that means national championships. I walked into the administrative building yesterday, I walked by that wall of national championships at the entrance to our offices on the way to this press conference, and I thought to myself, 'it has been too long.' We will play to win, and when we do, we're going to celebrate the heck out of it, all of us, together. And we will get there, because we will have a plan. Implementing this vision – Spartan Excellence Without Exception – will take time. And it will require meaningful input and feedback from our teams and athletes, our coaches and staffs, our faculty, our alumni, our internal and external partners. But together, we will create a plan that inspires and unites this community, establishes ambitious goals, and provides a clear path for how we will accomplish them. Ladies and gentlemen, I cannot wait to get started.
And I'll leave you with about what all this means to me. Because it means a lot. When I started in this industry as an administrative graduate assistant in 2002, aside from sorting mail and getting people coffee, one of my first jobs was to connect our student athletes with members of the community to help them find jobs after college. I have had hundreds of responsibilities since that moment. But that mission, serving student athletes, building community through connection and advancement, that has never left me. And in those first few weeks on the job, I knew that it was my dream, my dream, to become a Division I athletic director at the highest level. So, folks, I'm living my dream today. And that is the energy you're going to get from me every single day I walk into that office across the street. And I have a name for it – I call it Dream Energy – and I believe it is the most powerful force on the planet. Here's the catch, and I've learned this in the last 36 hours. Mine alone won't do it. This is too big; I need all of your dream energy. And if somewhere along the way you've lost it, I understand. But I'm going to tell you right now, I'm going to be back here on the 31st and I'm asking you to go find it. So, let's do this together. And we're going to finish off this press conference, the way we're going to win national championships – together. We're going to stand up if you can, and we're going to do the loudest Go Green, Go White in the history of Michigan State University press conferences. Do me this honor everybody. I get to do the Go Green. Ready? Go Green! (Go White!) Thank you! Let's get to work!
Thursday, July 30
Monday, June 15
Friday, December 05
Monday, September 15