August 6 – J Batt, University of Kentucky Athletics Director

J Batt officially became the University of Kentucky’s athletics director and chief executive officer of Champions Blue, LLC on July 28, succeeding Mitch Barnhart, who served in the position for the last 24 years. A nationally recognized leader in college athletics, Batt brings extensive experience in administration, fundraising, revenue development and strategic investment in athletic facilities.

Batt came to Kentucky from Michigan State University, where he served as vice president and director of athletics. During his single year in East Lansing, he helped secure a historic and transformational philanthropic commitment of more than $400 million — the largest single gift in college athletics’ history — and established Spartan Ventures and Spartan Media Ventures to develop new revenue streams and partnerships. Michigan State student-athletes also achieved the highest department-wide GPA in school history during his tenure, and eight teams earned NCAA tournament bids this past year.

Before joining Michigan State, Batt was director of athletics and vice president at Georgia Tech for three years. Under his leadership, Georgia Tech increased fundraising by more than 40 percent. He also launched Full Steam Ahead, a capital campaign designed to raise more than $500 million to modernize the Yellow Jackets’ athletic facilities, enhance the student athlete experience, and strengthen Georgia Tech’s competitive edge. During his final year at Georgia Tech, the university was one of only nine schools nationally that earned postseason berths in football, men’s and women’s basketball volleyball, softball and baseball.

No stranger to the Southeastern Conference, Batt previously held several leadership positions at the University of Alabama, including executive deputy athletics director. He also held senior roles in athletics departments at East Carolina University, the University of Maryland and James Madison University.

“Across these institutions, J has distinguished himself as a record-breaker in fundraising and as a leader who strategically invests in facilities to maximize resources and revenue,” University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto said in a message to the UK campus announcing Batt’s hire. “As important, he has remained focused on ensuring student-athletes compete at the highest levels while being prepared for lives of meaning and purpose.”

Raised in Charlottesville, Virginia, Batt is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was a member of the Tar Heels’ 2001 national championship men’s soccer team. He earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communications and a master’s degree in sports administration from UNC. He and his wife, Leah, have two sons.

Rotary in Review – August 6, 2026 

J Batt Brings a Business Mindset and Championship Vision to Kentucky Athletics 

Only days into his tenure as the University of Kentucky’s Director of Athletics and CEO of Champions Blue, LLC, J Batt made his first public appearance before the Rotary Club of Lexington. Rather than delivering a traditional keynote address, Batt sat down for an engaging conversation with two Kentucky legends—Jim Host and longtime Voice of the Wildcats Tom Leach—for a wide-ranging discussion about the future of college athletics, leadership, and Big Blue Nation.

While the conversation touched on everything from NIL and conference realignment to football and fundraising, one theme surfaced repeatedly: today’s athletics director is as much a CEO as a sports administrator.

Batt made it clear that championships remain the goal but achieving them now requires a fundamentally different approach than it did a few years ago. “We are in the opportunity business,” Batt said. “We give young people the opportunity to come to Lexington, Kentucky and fulfill their dreams. We can’t do that without Big Blue Nation. It is our differentiator.”

That philosophy extends well beyond wins and losses.

Throughout the conversation, Batt emphasized creating sustainable revenue, investing strategically, embracing innovation, and ensuring Kentucky remains positioned to compete in an ever-changing collegiate landscape. Rather than viewing change as a challenge, he sees it as an opportunity for forward-thinking institutions to separate themselves.

When asked whether programs like Indiana’s recent football success provide a roadmap for Kentucky, Batt didn’t hesitate. “The expectation for Kentucky football is to win at a championship level,” he said. “There is no reason and no excuses why we can’t do that.”

Still, some of the most memorable moments came when Batt spoke less about athletics and more about people.

Asked whether he envisioned Kentucky as a long-term destination, his answer resonated with the room. “The University of Kentucky has been on our list for my wife and I for a long time,” Batt shared. “My children are finishing high school in Lexington. We are in this for the long run.”

Host and Leach expertly guided the discussion, blending thoughtful questions with their deep understanding of college athletics and Kentucky’s unique place within it. Their conversational style allowed attendees to hear not only Batt’s strategic vision but also the personality behind the title.

Perhaps the most insightful moment came when Batt described what he looks for in coaches. Beyond winning, he values “fit” within the university and what he called “offensive leadership,” leaders who are authentic, connect naturally with student-athletes, and build relationships in today’s transfer portal era.

For Rotarians, many of whom lead businesses and organizations facing constant disruption themselves, Batt’s remarks felt remarkably familiar. Whether leading a university, a nonprofit, or a company, success increasingly depends on adaptability, innovation, and investing in people.

College athletics may be changing rapidly, but if Batt’s first Rotary appearance is any indication, Kentucky intends not simply to keep pace, but to help define what comes next.

 -Dan Koett