Dan Bartholomae to be next Michigan State athletic director
The Detroit News • • sports
Key Points:
- Michigan State has hired Dan Bartholomae, Western Michigan's athletic director since 2022, as its new athletic director following the departure of J Batt to Kentucky.
- Bartholomae brings a strong track record, including leading Western Michigan's hockey team to a 2025 national championship and football team to a Mid-American Conference title, while also managing significant fundraising and facility projects.
- The hiring involves a $5.1 million buyout from Western Michigan, partially offset by a $3.95 million buyout Michigan State negotiated with Kentucky for Batt's early departure.
- Bartholomae inherits an athletic department facing a $124 million debt, with challenges including managing budgets, fundraising, and overseeing a planned $500 million renovation of Spartan Stadium.
- His leadership is expected to stabilize Michigan State's athletic department after a turbulent summer and build upon initiatives started by Batt, with a focus on resource management, program success, and donor relations.
