J Batt was named the 10th full-time director of athletics in Georgia Tech history on Oct. 14, 2022 and officially took the reins of Tech athletics 10 days later, on Oct. 24, 2022.
In less than a year under Batt’s leadership, Georgia Tech athletics’ impressive achievements include:
Batt came to The Flats after serving as executive deputy director of athletics, chief operating officer and chief revenue officer at Alabama for five years (2017-22). He joined Alabama athletics’ administration as senior associate athletics director, was promoted to COO and senior deputy athletic director in 2021 and to executive deputy director, COO and chief revenue officer in 2022.
At Alabama, he was responsible for guiding revenue generating, including charitable giving, ticketing, Tide Pride, and other revenue sources. Batt oversaw the successful development, implementation, and launch of the Crimson Standard, Alabama Athletics’ 10-year, $600 million capital initiative. He also provided day-to-day leadership of the department as a member of the Athletics executive team and served as the sport administrator for men’s basketball.
Widely regarded as one of college athletics’ top fundraisers, Batt served as senior associate athletic director and executive director of the Pirate Club at East Carolina from 2013 to 2017. As a member of the ECU 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 A.D. and executive director of Maryland’s Terrapin Club from 2011 to 2013. He joined the Terrapin Club staff in 2009 before being promoted to executive director beginning in 2011.
Before his four-year tenure at Maryland, Batt held positions in athletics fundraising at James Madison, William & Mary and his alma mater, North Carolina.
A member of the Tar Heels’ 2001 NCAA champion men’s soccer team, Batt earned both 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: Fitz and Graham.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT J BATT
“We’re excited to welcome J to Georgia Tech. His leadership experience at one of the most competitive programs in the nation and his extraordinary track record in fundraising and revenue generation will bring great value to Georgia Tech. As a former ACC student-athlete, J has a keen appreciation for what it takes for students to compete at the highest level while pursuing a degree at a top 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 resources necessary for a successful athletics program.” – Georgia Tech President Ángel Cabrera
“Georgia Tech has made an outstanding hire in J Batt. He is a rising leader within intercollegiate athletics and has made a great 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.” – University of Alabama President Stuart R. Bell
“J has been such a strong leader as part of our executive team at 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. He has done a masterful job with the operations of the department. J has been involved in all of our major decisions and has provided constructive insight and feedback to make us better. His experience working directly with our student-athletes, our coaches and Athletics staff, university leadership, and fan base has prepared him well for this moment. We are thrilled for J, his wife, Leah, and boys, Fitz and Graham. Georgia Tech made a home-run hire with J.” – Alabama director of athletics Greg Byrne
“Since arriving at Alabama, J has positively affected 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 administrative team. We set a vision for the future of Alabama Athletics and Alabama football through the Crimson Standard and J as well as his team delivered with impressive results.” – Alabama football head coach Nick Saban
“I am extremely happy for J, Leah, and their boys for this opportunity. His work ethic, character, wisdom, and vision for the University of Alabama have been great assets to our men’s basketball program, and we are thankful for everything he has done to help our team and staff. I think he is a perfect fit at Georgia Tech, and I’m excited to see what the future holds under his leadership.” – Alabama men’s basketball head coach Nate Oats
