Alabama Names J Batt Senior Associate Athletics Director for Development
6/2/2017 4:53:00 PM | General
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - A proven leader in the realm of collegiate athletics fundraising, J Batt has been named The University of Alabama's Senior Associate Athletics Director for Development, Director of Athletics Greg Byrne announced on Friday.
"We did an extensive search for this position and were fortunate to have a great pool of candidates," said Byrne. "J impressed all of us in his interview, and we are thrilled to add him to our staff at Alabama. He comes highly recommended from many leaders in intercollegiate athletics development, which is no surprise after looking at his list of accomplishments.
Batt comes to Alabama from East Carolina University where he has served as Senior Associate AD and Executive Director of the Pirate Club since April 2013.
"I am incredibly excited to join The University of Alabama athletics family, and I am truly grateful to Greg Byrne for this opportunity," said Batt. "I look forward to working with all of the donors in the Crimson Tide Foundation as well as the fans to continue the Alabama tradition of excellence."
A member of the ECU Athletics Executive Leadership Team, Batt oversaw a development operation that increased total fundraising in 2016 by over 60 percent over ECU's previous best year. Batt and his team also led an annual scholarship fund that grew 27 percent over a three-year period. Under his direction, East Carolina Athletics launched satellite development offices in target markets and increased Student Pirate Club memberships to an all-time high. Additionally, Batt designed and initiated capital campaigns to renovate Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, the Ward Sports Medicine Building and Scale Field House.
Prior to joining ECU, Batt served as an Associate AD and Executive Director of the Terrapin Club for the University of Maryland from 2011-13. He joined the Terrapin Club staff in 2009 and served as executive director beginning in September 2011. Batt led Maryland's 2011-12 annual fund drive that raised $9 million in scholarship support, representing a 12-percent increase year-over-year.
Before his tenure at Maryland, Batt worked in athletics fundraising at James Madison, William and Mary, and his alma mater, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
A member of the Tar Heels' 2001 NCAA champion men's soccer team, Batt graduated from UNC with both a bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communications and a master's degree in sports administration. A native of Charlottesville, Va., Batt is married to the former Leah Barefoot of Raleigh, N.C. The couple has a son, Fitz.
All such employment contracts are subject to approval by The University of Alabama Board of Trustees.
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