“We are excited to welcome J to Georgia Tech. His leadership experience in one of the most competitive programs in the country and his extraordinary track record in fundraising and revenue generation will bring tremendous value to Georgia Tech,” said President from Georgia Tech, Angel Cabrera. “As a former ACC student-athlete, J has a great appreciation for what it takes for students to compete at the highest level while earning a degree from a higher academic institution. He values and shares our culture of excellence and integrity and our commitment to student well-being and success. I look forward to working with him to secure and invest the necessary resources for a successful athletics program.”
As athletic director at Georgia Tech, Batt will report directly to Cabrera and be a member of his cabinet. He will be responsible for planning, developing, managing and promoting Georgia Tech’s intercollegiate athletic programs, with a focus on creating an environment that inspires and empowers student-athletes to be champions in academics, competition and life.
“My family and I really appreciate President Cabrera and his team for this opportunity, and we are incredibly excited to join the Georgia Tech family,” said Batt. “I look forward to working with our student-athletes, coaches, staff, supporters and fans to reach new heights, on and off the field, and build on the rich tradition and history of this storied athletics department. We can’t wait to become a part of the Atlanta community. Come on jackets!”
Batt was named the top candidate for Cabrera after a national search conducted by Parker Executive Search. The selection process included interviews with a committee made up of a coach, a senior athletics administrator, a student-athlete, a student-athlete, and a faculty member who recommended a set of finalists for consideration by the president. The Georgia Tech Athletic Association’s board of trustees voted unanimously to approve Cabrera’s proposal to appoint Batt.
According to Nick Saban, head football coach at the University of Alabama, “Since coming to Alabama, J has positively influenced our program through the success of the Crimson Standard Initiative while being a trusted advisor to our athletic director, Greg Byrne, and an essential part of our management team. We set a vision for the future of the Alabama Athletics and Alabama football through the Crimson Standard and J, as well as his team, achieved impressive results.”
University of Alabama President Stuart R. Bell added, “Georgia Tech has made an exceptional hire at J Batt. He is a rising leader in intercollegiate athletics and has made a huge impact during his time at the University of Alabama. He is a proven administrator and fundraiser and will be a great ambassador for the Institute and the community.”
Batt joined the University of Alabama track team as a senior associate athletic director in 2017. He was responsible for guiding revenue generation, including charitable donations, ticketing, Tide Pride and other sources of income. He was promoted to Chief Operating Officer and Senior Associate Athletic Director in 2021 and to Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Revenue Officer in 2022. Batt oversaw the successful development, implementation and launch of the Crimson Standard, Alabama Athletics for 10 years and $600 millionaire capital initiative. He also provided day-to-day leadership for the department as a member of the executive athletic team and served as athletic administrator for men’s basketball.
“J has been such a strong leader as part of our executive team in Alabama. He has incredible vision and has done an outstanding job overseeing many areas of the department, beginning with development when he arrived in 2017,” said Byrne. “He has done a masterful job with the operations of the department. J has been involved in all of our important decisions and has provided input and constructive feedback to improve us. His experience working directly with our student-athletes, our Athletics coaches and staff, college leadership and fan base has prepared him well for this moment. We are excited for J, his wife, Leah, and his children, Fitz and Graham. Georgia Tech made a home run signing with J.”
Alabama head basketball coach Nate Oats said, “I’m so happy for J, Leah and their guys for this opportunity. Her work ethic, character, wisdom, and vision for the University of Alabama have been great assets to our men’s basketball program, and we are grateful for all she has done to help our team and staff. I think he’s a perfect fit at Georgia Tech, and I’m excited to see what the future holds under his leadership.”
Previously, Batt was Senior Associate Director of Athletics at East Carolina University and Executive Director of the Pirate Club, a position he held from 2013 to 2017. As a member of ECU’s Athletics Executive Leadership Team, Batt oversaw a development operation that increased total fundraising in 2016 by more than 60% over ECU’s previous best year. He also served as Associate AD and Executive Director of the Terrapin Club for the University of Maryland from 2011 to 2013. He joined the Terrapin Club staff in 2009 and served as Executive Director beginning in September 2011. Prior to his role at Maryland Batt worked in athletic fundraising at James Madison University, the College of William & Mary, and his alma mater, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
A member of the 2001 Tar Heels NCAA Champion Men’s Soccer Team, Batt graduated from UNC with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communications and a master’s degree in sports administration.
