Latest news with #Guskiewicz
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New MSU AD J Batt: Michigan State 'a top-10 athletic department in the country'
EAST LANSING — A little more than a month ago, Michigan State President Kevin Guskiewicz determined his athletic department needed a change in leadership. The school hired Atlanta-based firm TurnKeyZRG to conduct a search for candidates to replace Alan Haller. In charge would be Chad Chatlos, the company's managing director of athletics administration and coaching. Advertisement Unlike Guskiewicz, in his position for a little over a year and still learning about MSU, Chatlos is the son of former Spartan football player George Chatlos and understands the history and scope of MSU's athletic department and community. And Guskiewicz charged Chatlos with one duty. 'I said, 'I want to know the top five or six people in the country,'' Guskiewicz recalled Wednesday, June 4. 'And (Chatlos) said, 'Do you want to know the top five or six who are moveable, or do you want to know the top five or six?' 'I said, Chad, Michigan State deserves the best. I want to know who the best five or six are.' J Batt speaks Wednesday, June 4, 2025, after being introduced as Michigan State University's new athletic director. INSIDE THE SPARTANS: New Michigan State AD J Batt's priority list: Make connections, build fundraising Advertisement At the top of the list was J Batt, the athletic director at Georgia Tech (also located in Atlanta). It not only happened to be a name Guskiewicz was familiar with, but a person he'd known for a quarter-century. Familiarity and serendipity intersected. 'Michigan State University deserves the best,' Guskiewicz said, 'and that's what we got.' Batt was introduced as the Spartans' 21st athletic director on Wednesday as the school's first outside hire to the position in 30 years. And the 43-year-old —an MSU outsider like Guskiewicz — made clear his biggest immediate tasks are to learn and to get his new department and its benefactors moving into the future of college athletics collectively. Advertisement 'My first priority is to is to listen, to ask a bunch of questions,' Batt said. 'So I'll meet with all of our head coaches, I'll meet with all of our staff. And then I'll hit the road. I don't sit still well, so I'll go on the road to meet with donors and supporters, our trustees. And I'll learn. I'll learn a lot. I think it's the most important thing, particularly when you start one of these new opportunities. 'This is an incredible place. It's an incredible place with great tradition and history. And my job one is to learn all of that.' Contract terms are not expected to be released until MSU's Board of Trustees approve it at a June 13 meeting, but Batt is expected to receive a six-year contract for around $1.8 million per year, a source familiar with the deal told the Free Press on Sunday. 'This is a top-10 athletic department in the country,' Batt said. Advertisement Batt has spent his entire life in university communities. He was born in Champaign, Illinois, as his parents worked for the University of Illinois before moving to Charlottesville, Virginia, where they worked at the University of Virginia's medical center. Batt went on to play soccer at the University of North Carolina, where he first met Guskiewicz. Guskiewicz, who received his PhD from UVA, was researching concussions as a professor at UNC when the two first met. The two kept in touch. After graduating from Chapel Hill with an undergraduate degree in journalism and a master's in athletic management, Batt moved into the athletic fundraising world. It included stops at his alma mater, as well as East Carolina, Maryland, James Madison and William & Mary. He became Alabama's executive deputy director of athletics, chief operating officer and chief revenue officer before getting his first athletic director job at Georgia Tech in October 2022. Meanwhile, Guskiewicz arrived at MSU last year after serving as chancellor at UNC for five years. While MSU explored potentially hiring from the private business sector, Guskiewicz said Batt's experience in recruiting donors along with having been a Division I athlete and a sitting athletic director made him uniquely qualified to lead MSU into the changing world of college athletics. 'He's walked the sidelines. He's been on the sidelines as an athlete himself, but also spending a lot of time with coaches — and some really good coaches,' Guskiewicz said. 'But he understands the business side, the corporate side of this. And so I think we got the best of both (worlds).' Advertisement Hall of Fame MSU basketball coach Tom Izzo, who served as co-interim athletic director after Haller's removal on May 1, flew to Atlanta to meet with Batt and had an initial 'gut-check' that Batt was the right fit. He also consulted with former Spartans and Alabama football coach Nick Saban as well as current Atlantic Coast Conference commissioner Jim Phillips, who told Izzo that MSU 'hit a home run' with Batt. Michigan State Athletic Director J Batt, middle, and wife Leah share a laugh with MSU basketball coach Tom Izzo, right, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, before Batt was introduced as the Spartan's new athletic director. And Izzo felt the connection between Batt and Guskiewicz is important. 'The same reason I really liked Kevin when I first interviewed him on the committee, the first thing he said is, 'I love to fundraise.' And I said, 'Any president that says that, he gets a vote from me and he gets a 'what the hell's wrong with you?' Because nobody likes to fundraise,'' Izzo said. 'J kind of said the same thing. … And if you've got somebody at the top that understands all that and that is willing to go out and raise money and do the things that we have to do now and be a leader in that area, I think it's going to be very valuable.' Advertisement Even with his background as an Olympic-sport athlete in college, Batt pointed to MSU's football program as being the primary revenue driver and pledged to give second-year coach Jonathan Smith the funding and resources to build the Spartans back to national prominence. 'It's imperative we support all our sports,' Batt said. 'But do not be confused. Every athletic department competing at the highest level must be successful in football.' Smith pointed to Batt being part of the NCAA's House Settlement Implementation Committee, which is working to 'implement a new model for the future of college sports focused on stability and fairness,' as giving MSU a major voice in what the evolving rules changes with name, image and likeness and other significant issues will look like. 'He's been in those circles, sat in the seat,' Smith said. 'I do know some people that have worked with him before and did talk to them, and he's highly, highly recommended. So it's impressive. … Advertisement 'He mentioned the word multiple times, 'alignment' in our approach. And so when he gets back here in a couple of weeks, we'll tighten that up and go to work.' Michigan State Athletic Director J Batt, right, speaks, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, after being introduced by MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz. Batt had signed a contract extension at Georgia Tech in December that ran through 2029, so that was part of the reason he initially did not appear in play for MSU. But Guskiewicz joked that, 'Just the fact that he took my call when I was told he wouldn't, that was a good start.' Now, the synergy between the two — once mentor and student, now becoming a working relationship — will be critical to try and return MSU to national visibility and prominence. Advertisement 'He certainly knows what high level intercollegiate athletics looks like at a championship level, and I have full faith and trust in him,' Batt said of Guskiewicz. 'And so when he made that call through the search firm, it was one of those — 'Absolutely.' 'I certainly can tell you that there's lots more to learn, but it's a heck of a starting place.' Contact Chris Solari: csolari@ Follow him @chrissolari. Subscribe to the "Spartan Speak" podcast for new episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts. And catch all of our podcasts and daily voice briefing at This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan State AD J Batt praises Spartans: 'A top-10 athletic department'
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Michigan State Makes Tom Izzo Decision on Thursday
At 70 years old, Tom Izzo has accomplished just about everything in his legendary career as head basketball coach at Michigan State. A member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, Izzo has taken the Spartans to the NCAA Tournament Final Four eight times and racked up 737 career wins — 59 of those coming in March Madness. He has been the face of the program in East Lansing since taking over in 1995. And now, he's about to take on a new role. Advertisement For the first time in his illustrious career, Izzo will step into the front office. He's been named one of the co-interim athletic directors at Michigan State, alongside current deputy athletic director Jennifer Smith. They'll be taking over for Alan Haller, who is stepping down. Haller's final day will be May 11. Michigan State President Kevin M. Guskiewicz released a statement on the transition. 'I'm grateful for Alan's leadership since I joined the university and appreciate the success our programs have seen under his leadership," Guskiewicz wrote. "He is deeply committed to this university and has led with honesty and integrity.' Guskiewicz added more on the future of the school's athletic department: 'This is a pivotal time for college athletics, where innovation, effective communications and community engagement are more important than ever. Our next athletic director will lead one of the nation's more storied athletic programs — home to 23 varsity sports, a passionate fan base, a long legacy of academic and athletic excellence, and, most importantly, an ambitious future.' Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo.© Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK Michigan State is coming off another strong season on the hardwood. The Spartans finished the 2024-25 campaign with a 30-7 record, including a 17-3 mark in Big Ten play. They were one win away from another Final Four appearance under Izzo. Advertisement During the season, Izzo passed former Indiana Hoosiers coach Bob Knight for most career Big Ten wins. And even with a new title on the way, Izzo isn't slowing down on the basketball side. He has already hit the transfer portal hard, landing Kalen Glenn from the Florida Atlantic Owls and Trey Fort from the Samford Bulldogs. It's going to be a busy offseason in East Lansing, and Izzo will be right in the middle of all of it. Related: No. 1 College Basketball Recruit is Turning Heads With New Post Related: UConn Reacts to Big Announcement on Five-Star College Basketball Recruit
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
MSU president warns 'hard decisions' will need to be made to fix school finances
EAST LANSING — Michigan State University President Kevin Guskiewicz warned the university would be making "hard decisions" to stabilize its budget as federal directives and policies have exacerbated existing financial challenges. "After careful deliberation, we have reached the difficult conclusion that we must adjust our financial path," Guskiewicz wrote in an email to faculty and staff. "The next few months of financial planning will be demanding and difficult for some in our community, and we will need to make hard decisions that will impact people we care about. Our goal has been — and will be — to do our best to support our people while making the necessary strategic decisions for the long-term success of Michigan State University." This isn't a MSU-only issue. Universities nationwide are reacting to President Donald Trump's executive orders and threats to higher education institutions that don't comply with his directives. Even universities that fully comply are facing billions of dollars of cuts to agencies that fund their research, like the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health, Inside Higher Ed reported. It's not clear what's at risk of being cut at MSU. Guskiewicz said in the email that Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Lisa Frace and her staff will communicate changes to department heads in the coming days. Guskiewicz said college and department budgets, vacant positions, non-personnel expenses and enrollment trends and projections have all been carefully reviewed in determining where the university could save money. Guskiewicz said MSU is looking at immediate cuts ahead of the new budget year that begins July 1 and "larger, longer-term savings." MSU spokesperson Amber McCann did not immediately respond to a message left from the State Journal. Michigan State president Kevin Guskiewicz claps before the Spartans game against Oregon on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. The university is up against a tight deadline to make its decisions. Any changes likely need to be made by the June Board of Trustees meeting, when the trustees typically approve the university's annual budget. It's not immediately clear how this would impact some of MSU's long-term projects that are now underway. The Spartan Gateway District, which includes an Olympic sports arena, was approved in April by the board. The sports arena is expected to cost the university at least $150 million, with background information provided to the board stating it will be partially paid for out of the university's general fund, along with funding from its ticket sales and rental fees, along with donations and sponsorship. It's also not clear if the recently announced "Uncommon Will, Far Better World," fundraising campaign will alleviate the university's financial stress. The campaign has a goal of $4 billion, which Guskiewicz said will be split into three categories: $2 billion for "scholarships and programmatic support," $1 billion for "research and endowed professorships," and $1 billion for "capital projects and new programs." The campaign is scheduled to last until 2032. "I know this letter may raise questions and concerns," Guskiewicz wrote. "Please know that you will hear more from your college and unit leaders in the weeks ahead as we work to provide timely information to our university community and forge a stronger MSU." Here's Guskiewicz's full letter to faculty and staff: "Dear faculty and staff members, "Last week, we wrapped up an eventful academic year topped off with the graduation of more than 10,000 Spartans into the world to make their mark. This was a true team effort, with every one of you contributing to make it possible. Thank you. "I'm proud of what we've accomplished together over my first full academic year at Michigan State. We have, for example, launched several initiatives to make MSU an even greater talent activator, including forming the Green and White Council to help us better prepare our students to meet workforce needs. We continue to make Michigan State more accessible and welcoming, from strengthening our partnership with Lansing Community College to working to create our First-Gen Center. We have also bolstered our commitment to outreach, deepening our engagement in the communities we serve. "And yet, it has also been a challenging year, especially these last four months, as we navigated federal policies and directives that undercut our ability to advance our land-grant mission and continue essential research projects that make life better. I want to acknowledge the continued dedication, resilience and excellence you all bring to your work every day. Your contributions drive our mission forward — in classrooms, labs and student support offices; in our administrative units in every building; and by those who keep our campus safe, clean and beautiful. "Unfortunately, federal changes are compounding our existing financial challenges, including our ongoing efforts to balance the university's budget. Over the past few years, we — like other peer universities, companies and organizations — have faced some difficult financial headwinds, with rising health care costs being of particular concern. As I shared at the beginning of my tenure, I have made it a top priority to comprehensively assess our challenges and ensure our financial health. I have looked closely at our budget model and the state's appropriations formula and have examined stress points, available reserves and forecasted operating budget trends. "With federal impacts exacerbating our financial situation, and as shared this spring, I have also worked with university leaders to examine our finances through a three-horizon timeframe, looking for potential short-, medium- and long-term efficiencies and savings. For the first horizon, we have carefully reviewed college and unit budgets, vacant positions, nonpersonnel expenses and enrollment trends/projections. For the second horizon, we have been evaluating our options for setting our annual budget this June. And for the third horizon, we have considered larger, longer-term savings. "After careful deliberation, we have reached the difficult conclusion that we must adjust our financial path. In the coming days, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Lisa Frace and her team will share with unit leaders needed action steps and appropriate measures to put the university back on a healthy financial track. The next few months of financial planning will be demanding and difficult for some in our community, and we will need to make hard decisions that will impact people we care about. Our goal has been — and will be — to do our best to support our people while making the necessary strategic decisions for the long-term success of Michigan State University. "I know this letter may raise questions and concerns. Please know that you will hear more from your college and unit leaders in the weeks ahead as we work to provide timely information to our university community and forge a stronger MSU." Contact Sarah Atwood at satwood@ Follow her on X @sarahmatwood. This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: 'Hard decisions' coming to MSU to stabilize finances, Guskiewicz warns
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Hard choices' ahead as MSU President says ‘we must adjust our financial path'
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — The president of Michigan State University says, 'We will need to make hard decisions that will impact people we care about' as the school adjusts its budget in the wake of federal changes. Kevin Guskiewicz made the statement in a letter to the faculty and staff on Monday, the first business day following most of MSU's graduation ceremonies. MSU approves Spartan Stadium upgrades Guskiewicz says he's proud of what he school has accomplished in his first full year as leader of the university, but he also calls it 'a challenging year, especially these last four months' as he says changes at the federal level 'undercut our ability to advance our land-grant mission and continue essential research projects that make life better.' He says those changes, along with the rising cost of health care, are making it harder for the Big Ten university to balance its budget. After exploring short, medium, and long-term savings, Guskiewicz said, 'After careful deliberation, we have reached the difficult conclusion that we must adjust our financial path.' He says university officials will share 'action steps and appropriate measures' to tackle the budget 'in the coming days.' It did not specify whether there will be cuts to staffing or programs. The next few months of financial planning will be demanding and difficult for some in our community, and we will need to make hard decisions that will impact people we care about. MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz Guskiewicz acknowledges that his letter will 'raise questions and concerns' – but says that more information will come out 'in the weeks ahead.' The letter to the campus community comes out less than two months after MSU announced the launch of a $4 billion fundraising campaign, of which it has already raised $1 billion. The campaign, which the school says kicked off in 2022, is expected to run through 2032. The school sent the message out a few hours after Guskiewicz left East Lansing for the Detroit Spartan Bus Tour – a two-day trip to the Detroit area with some 50 faculty members and administrators to show how the school is working to improve life in the city and the state. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
San Francisco Chronicle
01-05-2025
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
Michigan State athletic director Alan Haller leaving, Tom Izzo will be co-interim AD
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan State athletic director Alan Haller is leaving the school and deputy athletic director Jennifer Smith and men's basketball coach Tom Izzo will serve as co-interim ADs, university president Kevin Guskiewicz announced Thursday. Haller's last day will be May 11. Guskiewicz did not disclose the reason for Haller's exit. 'I'm grateful for Alan's leadership since I joined the university and appreciate the success our programs have seen under his leadership,' Guskiewicz said in a statement. 'He is deeply committed to this university and has led with honesty and integrity.' Guskiewicz said a national search would begin to find a successor to Haller, who was promoted from deputy athletic director in 2021. Haller played football and ran track at Michigan State and later worked 13 years in the school's Department of Police and Public Safety. He joined the athletic department in 2010 and had a number of roles. Under Haller, the Spartans won Big Ten championships in men's basketball, women's soccer, women's gymnastics, men's hockey and women's cross country, as well as postseason appearances for several programs. 'This is a pivotal time for college athletics, where innovation, effective communications and community engagement are more important than ever,' Guskiewicz said. 'Our next athletic director will lead one of the nation's more storied athletic programs, home to 23 varsity sports, a passionate fan base, a long legacy of academic and athletic excellence and, most importantly, an ambitious future.' Haller's exit comes as Division I programs prepare for major changes in college athletics. Schools will be allowed to share up to $20.5 million in revenue with athletes beginning July 1, pending final approval of a multibillion-dollar antitrust settlement. The direct payments to athletes will be in addition to third-party name, image and likeness deals facilitated by school-affiliated collectives. Men's basketball has continued to be the Spartans' most successful revenue sport under Haller, with Izzo's team winning the 2025 Big Ten regular-season championship and reaching the NCAA Elite Eight. Football is in a three-year down cycle. The Spartans were 5-7 overall and 3-6 in the Big Ten last season, Jonathan Smith's first, and they are projected to finish in the bottom half of the conference again this year. Haller earned high marks for his hiring of women's basketball coach Robyn Fralick, who has led the Spartans to back-to-back 20-win seasons and NCAA Tournament appearances, and men's hockey coach Adam Nightingale, whose program has swept Big Ten regular-season and tournament titles two straight years. It has been a tumultuous decade for Michigan State athletics off the field of play. Haller was an associate athletic director when a female Michigan State graduate filed a complaint about disgraced sports doctor Larry Nassar's sexual abuse in 2014. MSU agreed to pay $500 million to settle claims from more than 300 women and girls who said they were assaulted by Nassar, who is serving a life sentence in a federal prison. Three months into his tenure in 2021, Haller signed off on a $95 million, 10-year contract for football coach Mel Tucker. Two years later Tucker was fired after he was said to have sexually harassed activist and rape survivor Brenda Tracy during a phone call in April 2022.
