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USA Today
8 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Highlights, full video from new MSU Athletic Director J Batt's introductory press conference
Highlights, full video from new MSU Athletic Director J Batt's introductory press conference Michigan State formally introduced J Batt as the Spartans' next athletic director on Wednesday. Batt's introductory press conference was held on Wednesday, with the former Georgia Tech athletic director having the first opportunity to speak on his plan at Michigan State. Batt had some notable quotes during his introductory press conference, which are highlighted below. Batt comes to Michigan State after serving as the Georgia Tech athletic director since 2022. Prior to that, he worked at Alabama from 2017-2022, where he served as the executive deputy director of athletics, chief operating officer and chief revenue officer. Check out some of the highlights from Batt's introductory press conference or watch the complete video of the press conference below: Highlights Batt noted that Michigan State football succeeding is a huge priority for him and the athletic department as a whole. Batt said "Michigan State is not only positioned to survive, but it is positioned to take ground." Batt considers Michigan State as a top-10 athletic department in the country. Batt promised during the press conference that "we will provide Jonathan Smith with the resources he needs to be successful." Batt talked about the importance of NIL during the press conference, stating Michigan State is going to be successful at "championship levels" and they'll have a united plan to move forward Full Video Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
Associated Press
8 hours ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Michigan State athletic director J Batt says he's leading a top-10 department in college sports
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — J Batt said Michigan State has a top-10 athletic department in the country. The school's next athletic director made it clear that the football program must lead the way to make his statement ring true. The Spartans have been shaky in recent years in the sport that pays the bills in college athletics, losing seven games last year in coach Jonathan Smith's debut season. 'It comes down to resources and across the board, we will provide him and his staff with resources,' Batt said Wednesday when he was formally introduced. Batt left Georgia Tech, where he was its athletic director since the fall of 2022, to take on the challenge of raising money and turning around a football program in the highly competitive Big Ten. The university's Board of Trustees, which approved the selection, is scheduled to vote on Batt's hiring on June 13 and his first day on the job is June 16. Batt replaces Alan Haller, whose last day was May 11. Batt helped Georgia Tech bounce back in football. He hired coach Brent Key, who led the program to consecutive bowl games for the first time in a decade and earned a spot in The Associated Press Top 25 for the first time in nine years. In Batt's first season at Georgia Tech, 14 of 17 teams were in a postseason tournament. Before leading Georgia Tech's athletic department, he was executive deputy athletic director at Alabama and served as chief operating officer and chief revenue officer in the athletic department. Izzo reached out to his friend, former Alabama and Michigan State coach Nick Saban, as part of the school's search. 'Nick had great comments about him,' Izzo said. Batt recalled Saban speaking so fondly about Michigan State. 'He's always been so positive about this place,' Batt said. Batt also worked in athletics at East Carolina, Maryland, James Madison, William & Mary and North Carolina, where he played on the 2011 national championship soccer team. Batt is regarded as a strong fundraiser, an asset for any athletic department in this era of college athletics. At Michigan State, his top priorities will be to raise money and help the football program win. Universities will be allowed to share up to $20.5 million in revenue with athletes next year. Direct payments will be in addition to third-party name, image and likeness deals facilitated by school-affiliated collectives. 'We're going to be extremely successful and competitive in that space,' Batt said. ___ AP college sports:
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Georgia Tech football blasted for 7-win season rings reveal
Georgia Tech football blasted for 7-win season rings reveal originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The only thing more surprising than Georgia Tech finishing the 2024 football season at 7-6? The team celebrating it with custom rings, and the internet isn't having it. Advertisement Recently, Georgia Tech unveiled flashy rings to commemorate a campaign that saw the Yellow Jackets finish fourth in the ACC and lose the Birmingham Bowl to Vanderbilt, 30-27. Social media exploded with ridicule. 'Embarrassing. I mean, this deserves mockery beyond any nerd mockery,' one X user wrote, while another posted, 'Oh god participation trophies have made it to D1 college football.' The 2024 season had its moments. Georgia Tech did pull off an upset over then-No. 10 Florida State and stunned Miami with a last-second touchdown. But fans and critics quickly pointed out that Florida State finished just 2-10, a far cry from the resume-boosting win the ring suggests. Advertisement Instead of celebrating progress under head coach Brent Key, many saw the ring reveal as tone-deaf. While recruiting gains and competitive flashes were evident, so were lapses, like losing four of their last six games, including an eight-overtime heartbreaker to Georgia and the bowl defeat that capped it all. Another commenter posted, 'Who needs a participation trophy when you can get a participation ring?' The rings include dates of victories, including the Florida State and Miami games, prompting fans to ask: Are we just putting any win on jewelry now? Rings have historically been reserved for conference titles, playoff berths, or national championships, something rival Georgia knows all too well after winning the SEC and two CFP titles in recent years. Advertisement Georgia Tech fans, it's time for some tough love. Want rings to mean something? Expect more. Demand more. The Yellow Jackets have the brand, the city, and the talent to be great, but greatness doesn't come from celebrating seven wins. It comes from striving for more. Related: Georgia Tech Athletic Director J Batt Leaving for Michigan State, Per Reports Related: Georgia Tech Snags Receiver From ACC Rival in Transfer Portal This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
Michigan State losing senior associate athletic director to the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars
Michigan State losing senior associate athletic director to the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars Michigan State has their new head man to run the athletic department, poaching away J Batt from Georgia Tech. He will now be tasked with rebuilding the Spartans athletic department in the way he sees it in his vision. With the new look for Spartan athletics incoming under Batt, there is surely going to be more personnel changes within the department. With changes being anticipated, some within the department are already finding their next positions. One executive member of MSU's athletic department is heading to the NFL. Jon Dykema has accepted a position with the Jacksonville Jaguars front office. After spending 14 years with the Detroit Lions organization, working with contracts, negotiations and salary cap structure, Dykema spent time with Michigan State as Executive Senior Associate AD/Student-Athlete Management and Assistant General Counsel. Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on X @Cory_Linsner
Reuters
3 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Michigan State hires J Batt as athletic director
June 2 - Michigan State announced the hiring of J Batt as the Spartans' new athletic director on Monday. Batt has held that same position at Georgia Tech since 2022 after serving as deputy AD at Alabama (2017-22) and associate AD at East Carolina (2013-17). "J has an impressive record at several Power 5 schools and an impeccable reputation as a strong and innovative leader," school president Kevin 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." Batt's tenure in East Lansing will begin the week of June 16, following confirmation by the board of trustees at its June 13 meeting. Batt, 43, will receive a six-year contract worth more than $1.5 million annually and a buyout of more than $1 million, according to The Detroit News. "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." Spartans men's basketball coach and current co-interim AD Tom Izzo praised the hiring. "This is a key moment in the history of Michigan State Athletics," Izzo said. "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." Batt replaces Alan Haller, who was relieved of his duties on May 1 after less than four years in the position. --Field Level Media
