Staff Directory
- Title:
- Vice President/Director of Athletics
- Phone:
- 355-1630
J Batt was announced as Michigan State Vice President and Director of Athletics on June 2, 2025. The appointment was formally approved by the MSU Board of Trustees on June 13, as Batt officially became the 21st director of athletics in Michigan State history.
Batt comes to East Lansing from Georgia Tech, where he served as vice president and director of athletics since October 2022.
• J Batt Introductory Press Conference Coverage
• Meet J Batt
In each of Batt’s two full years guiding the department at Georgia Tech, 14 of 17 varsity programs earned a spot in postseason competition, and the football team 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. In 2024-25, Georgia Tech was one of just nine schools nationally that earned postseason berths in football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, volleyball, softball and baseball.
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.
Widely regarded as one of college athletics’ top fundraisers, Batt has also provided national leadership in collegiate athletics, having served 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.
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.
