EAST LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — The Michigan State University Board of Trustees officially approved Dan Bartholomae as the school's new athletic director during its meeting on Friday.
Bartholomae comes to MSU from Western Michigan University, where he was the athletic director since 2022.
"The future of college athletics will belong to institutions that embrace innovation while remaining grounded in their mission," MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D., said in a release "At Michigan State, that mission is clear: to provide our student-athletes with an experience that prepares them to compete at the highest levels, earn a world-class education and become leaders who make a difference long after their playing days are over. Dan shares that commitment and has the experience, vision and values to lead Spartan Athletics into its next era. We are excited to start this next chapter with him as our leader."
The terms of the contract are unclear. Bartholomae's August 2025 contract with Western Michigan includes a $5.1 million buyout, partly offset by a $3.95 million buyout Michigan State negotiated with Kentucky over J Batt's departure.
Western Michigan won 37 total conference championships and made 35 NCAA postseason appearances during Bartholomae's tenure, and its men's hockey team won the 2025 NCAA championship. He also had success as a fundraiser during his time in Kalamazoo, where he led record-breaking fundraising efforts. Michigan State in a previous news release highlighted that the average annual giving increased by 473% under his tenure, while the number of unique donors increased by 105%.
#university #director
Bartholomae comes to MSU from Western Michigan University, where he was the athletic director since 2022.
"The future of college athletics will belong to institutions that embrace innovation while remaining grounded in their mission," MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D., said in a release "At Michigan State, that mission is clear: to provide our student-athletes with an experience that prepares them to compete at the highest levels, earn a world-class education and become leaders who make a difference long after their playing days are over. Dan shares that commitment and has the experience, vision and values to lead Spartan Athletics into its next era. We are excited to start this next chapter with him as our leader."
The terms of the contract are unclear. Bartholomae's August 2025 contract with Western Michigan includes a $5.1 million buyout, partly offset by a $3.95 million buyout Michigan State negotiated with Kentucky over J Batt's departure.
Western Michigan won 37 total conference championships and made 35 NCAA postseason appearances during Bartholomae's tenure, and its men's hockey team won the 2025 NCAA championship. He also had success as a fundraiser during his time in Kalamazoo, where he led record-breaking fundraising efforts. Michigan State in a previous news release highlighted that the average annual giving increased by 473% under his tenure, while the number of unique donors increased by 105%.
#university #director
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