EAST LANSING, Mich — 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 has also 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.

What People Are Saying

“As J Batt takes the helm of Michigan State Athletics, the Spartans enter a new era—one defined by hard work, dedication and a relentless drive for excellence. In a time of staggering change across college sports, his vision and leadership are exactly what the Spartans need to thrive. J did an outstanding job for us at Alabama before taking over at Georgia Tech, where he brought renewed energy and strategic growth to the Yellow Jackets—laying a strong foundation of competitive success. He is the perfect fit in East Lansing to help build champions on and off the field, and leading MSU with purpose into the future.” – Nick Saban, Seven-Time National Champion Head Football Coach

“J is an incredibly accomplished sports executive who will bring a wealth of experience to Michigan State.  There is no doubt that he is the right person to lead the Spartans at this pivotal time in collegiate athletics and position them for success well into the future.  Michigan State is lucky to have such a dedicated and passionate executive on their team and I wish him nothing but the best.” – Derek Schiller, President and CEO of the Atlanta Braves

The National Football Foundation released its ballot of 79 former FBS players and nine coaches for the 2026 College Football Hall of Fame class. 

A pair of MSU players, Flozell Adams and Morten Anderson, and former head coach Darryl Rogers were honored. 

Each year, the NFF reveals its list of superior college football players who impacted their teams and the sport. Of the 5.78 million college football athletes in the sport’s history, 1,111 have earned induction into the NFF College Football Hall of Fame. 

“For more than 65 years, the NFF College Football Hall of Fame has stood as the sport’s ultimate archive, honoring those whose impact on the game still echoes today,” said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. “This year’s ballot carries forward that responsibility, spotlighting individuals who not only excelled on the field but also helped define what college football means to so many.”

Flozell Adams, an offensive lineman from 1994-97, earned first team all-American honors in 1997 as well as Big Ten Offensive lineman of the Year. Under head coach Nick Saban, Adams allowed just two sacks in his senior year and helped the Spartans to three straight bowl games. 

In Adams’ junior season in 1996, he played a pivotal role in running back Sedrick Irvin’s 1,067 yards while the team rushed for over 200 yards eight different times. 

After his induction to the MSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2014, Adams said, “You slowly matured over the years at Michigan State, and those are the years I really, really cherish. You grew to adore a lot of people you met there – former players, teachers and even coaches – though you probably didn’t tell them that at the time.”

Adams was drafted in the second round of the 1998 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-7, 340-pound lineman sported a 13-year NFL career, spending all but his final season with the Dallas Cowboys, appearing in five Pro Bowls. 

Morten Anderson was the second former Spartan to be honored in the 2026 ballot. Anderson was the Big Ten’s most dominant place kicker in his time from 1978-1981. Anderson left East Lansing as the all-time leading field goal kicker in the Big Ten. He earned Big Ten all-performer honors three times and led MSU in scoring for three years. 

Anderson was inducted into the MSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011 alongside MSU Basketball star Mateen Cleves and others.

Anderson said it’s always great to pay homage to your formative years and coming back to MSU.

“I have great memories from Michigan State, and the time I spent in East Lansing prepared me for playing at the next level,” Anderson said after his induction in 2011. “I credit Mark Dantonio with reconnecting me to the university. He really made it clear he wants to bridge the gap with a lot of the alums who had been missing. He’s really done a good job of bringing guys back into the fold and honoring the legacy of Spartan football.”

Anderson played in the NFL for 25 seasons and played in seven Pro Bowls. Anderson scored over 90 points with his foot for 22 seasons and will be remembered as one of the league’s most prolific kickers. In 2017, Anderson was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Coach Darryl Rogers was the final Spartan listed on the 2025 ballot. Rogers, who spent four years at MSU, earned Big Ten Coach of the Year and National Coach of the Year in 1978 by Sporting News. Coach Rogers led a star-studded group with Anderson at kicker and Kirk Gibson at receiver, among other greats.

After his time coaching in college, Rogers led the Detroit Lions for four seasons with a record of 18-40. Rogers died in 2018 of natural causes in Fresno, California. 

Adams and Rogers have been named to the same NFF ballot every year since 2019.

The 2026 hall of fame class will be revealed in early 2026, with voting open until July 1.

Hamilton College’s James Philpott ’25 (Calgary, Alberta/Centennial HS) and Emma Tansky ’25 (Collegeville, Pa./Episcopal Academy) received awards at the Kiwanis Club of Utica Recognition Dinner honoring student-athletes of the year on Thursday, May 1. 
 
The Kiwanis Club of Utica honors student-athletes from five colleges around the Mohawk Valley including Hamilton, Utica University, SUNY Polytechnic, Herkimer College and Mohawk Valley Community College. 
 
James Philpott was a CCM/American Hockey Coaches Association All-America first team selection in 2025 after the defenseman collected third team honors last year. The three-time all-New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) pick made the first team in each of the last two years. In his senior season he helped lead Hamilton men’s hockey to a program-best 21 wins, their first NESCAC title and second NCAA championship appearance, and a No. 8 national ranking. Philpott finished his career with 70 points on 13 goals and 57 assists in 99 games as the Continentals posted a 62-35-5 record during his four years. He was also the male recipient of Hamilton’s Jack B. Riffle Award, which is given to the top senior athlete.
 
Tansky was named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association all-region second team in 2025 after she picked up third team honors the previous three years. She also made the all-NESCAC first team this season. Tansky went 7-4 with a 3.51 ERA over 83.2 innings and tossed four complete games including an eight-inning shutout against Wesleyan University. She struck out 69 and added one save. Offensively, she led Hamilton with a .444 batting average, stole a program-record 21 bases, and recorded a .493 on-base percentage. Tansky ended her career as the team’s all-time leader in stolen bases and finished second in hits and runs. She was the female recipient of Hamilton’s Jack B. Riffle Award. 
 

NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State gymnastics program has found its new head coach, as Illinois State Director of Athletics Dr. Jeri Beggs has announced the hiring of former Ball State assistant coach Cassandra Ringer as the team’s mentor. Ringer replaces Bob Conkling, who retired after the 2025 season following 20 years at the helm of the program.

“We are excited to welcome Cass back to Illinois State and look forward to her leadership of the Redbird Gymnastics program,” Beggs said. “Cass brings a wealth of experience, passion and enthusiasm with her from Ball State and we look forward to seeing how she puts her mark on this program. Having worked here previously, Cass knows the history and tradition of Redbird Gymnastics and she wants to ensure it remains a nationally recognized program that competes for championships and postseason opportunities. We are thrilled to have Cass back and know she will be a great asset to our department.”

Ringer comes to Illinois State after serving as an assistant coach at Ball State since 2018. Prior to that, she served as the Illinois State graduate assistant coach and choreographer during the 2017-18 season.

“I am beyond thrilled and extremely grateful to join the Redbird family,” Ringer stated. “I would like to thank Dr. Jeri Beggs, Cindy Harris, and the entire athletics staff for this amazing opportunity to lead the Illinois State Gymnastics program. I truly believe the opportunities at Illinois State are limitless and I look forward to building on the strong foundation established by past and present Redbirds.”

The 2023 Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WCGA) Regional Co-Assistant Coach of the Year, Ringer concluded her seventh season as an assistant coach for the Ball State gymnastics program in 2025. Her expertise helped guide the Cardinals to a pair of Mid-American Conference regular season titles (2023 and 2024), as well as a pair of team berths into the NCAA Regionals (2023 and 2024). Since Ringer joined the staff at Ball State, the program posted an 83-48-1 (.633) dual record, including double-digit wins in six of her seven seasons in Muncie. In MAC competition, the Cardinals were 27-14 (.659) over that same span and finished second at the MAC Championships in both 2023 and 2024.

During her time on staff, the Cardinals also produced the 32 highest team scores in program history, highlighted by a program-record mark of 198.025 at the 2024 Tennessee Collegiate Classic. The effort at the Farm Bureau Expo Center, which included 22 scores of 9.800-or-higher, is also the MAC team score record in the current seven-team era. Ball State’s primary coach and choreographer for floor exercise, Ringer also helped the Cardinals register seven of the 11 highest team floor scores in program history.

 

Among those scores was a 9.950 from Suki Pfister which marked the second straight season Ringer helped the first all-American in program history tied the program’s individual floor record. Overall, Ringer helped BSU’s gymnasts record two of the program’s eight all-time floor scores of 9.950, along with 18 of 27 all-time floor scores of 9.925 and 36 of 55 all-time floor scores of 9.900. Ringer’s student-athletes have carried over their success into other apparatus as well, helping establish the top 11 all-around scores in program history. Zoe Middleton leads the way with her program record all-around effort of 39.750, which included one of her six career scores of 9.925 on floor. In addition, both Middleton and Pfister were crowned MAC Co-Floor Champions during the 2024 season with scores of 9.900 at the league championships.

 

Ringer arrived at Ball State from Illinois State where she served as the graduate assistant coach and choreographer. During her time as a Redbird, she instructed training sessions and developed training plans, served as the primary coach of floor exercise, choreographed floor and balance beam routines, facilitated team building activities, and increased fan and alumni engagement. Prior to her time at Illinois State, Ringer was a volunteer assistant coach at West Chester University of Pennsylvania for two years and spent time at Gymnastics Etc., Arcadia Gymnastics, Woodward Camp and the AJS Pancott Gymnastics National Training Center.

She graduated cum laude in May 2015 with her bachelor’s degree in nutrition and dietetics from West Chester. While competing for the Golden Rams, she was a United States of America Gymnastics (USAG) Scholar Athlete, Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Academic Honor Roll member and an academic all-conference honoree. Ringer also has a master’s degree in public administration with graduate certificates in sport management, administration and human resources management from West Chester.

GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App:  Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Athletic Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.

BOULDER, Colo. — Several people were injured and some may have been set on fire at an outdoor mall in Boulder, Colorado, police said. Police said a man was taken into custody in the attack that the FBI immediately described as a “targeted terror attack.”

Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn told reporters Sunday evening that it was too early to discuss a motive but that witnesses were being interviewed.

“It would be irresponsible for me to speculate on motive this early on,” he said.

The Boulder attack took place at a popular pedestrian mall known for attracting tourists and college students. On Sunday, demonstrators with a volunteer group called Run For Their Lives had gathered to call for the release of hostages who remain in Gaza. The group has multiple chapters across the world that regularly meet to walk to advocate for hostage releases.

Sunday’s attack also occurred as law enforcement authorities in the U.S. grapple with a spike in antisemitic violence. And last week, a man was arrested on charges in the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy staffers and shouted “Free Palestine” as he was being led away by police.

Boulder police said there were “several victims” in the attack. The injuries authorities found were consistent with reports of individuals being set on fire, Redfearn said, adding that injuries ranged from serious to minor.

Multiple blocks of the pedestrian mall area were evacuated by police. The scene shortly after the attack was tense, as law enforcement agents with a police dog walked through the streets looking for threats and instructed the public to stay clear of the pedestrian mall.

“Our agents and local law enforcement are on the scene already, and we will share updates as more information becomes available,” FBI Director Kash Patel posted on social media.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said in a statement that he was “closely monitoring” the situation, adding that “hate-filled acts of any kind are unacceptable.”