Michigan State University will formally introduce Dan Bartholomae as its next athletic director at a 1 p.m. press conference Wednesday, Aug. 19, giving the Spartan community its first chance to hear directly from the man tasked with steering a department flush with a record $401 million donation but facing a proposed 62% cut to state appropriations, as The State News reported.

MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz selected Bartholomae, 46, who has led Western Michigan University's athletic department since January 2022, according to MSU Athletics. Bartholomae's first day on the job will be Monday, Aug. 31. The Board of Trustees will formally approve his contract at its Sept. 11 meeting.

The Pittsburgh native arrives with a fundraising track record that caught Guskiewicz's attention: average annual giving at WMU jumped 473%, unique donors grew 105%, and the Bronco Athletic Fund raised nearly $22 million in 2026. He also helped develop a $515 million privately funded downtown arena in Kalamazoo that is under construction.

That facilities experience matters in East Lansing.

MSU's Board of Trustees has already approved $500 million in renovations to Spartan Stadium, and Bartholomae previously led a $153 million stadium renovation at Oregon State, where he served as executive deputy athletic director from 2017 to 2022.

On the field, WMU's men's hockey team won the 2025 NCAA championship under Bartholomae, the school's first national title in 60 years. The Broncos also captured the MAC football championship that same year, making WMU only the third Division I school to win a hockey national title and an FBS conference championship in the same calendar year.

"Throughout my career, I have been drawn to institutions that believe athletics can elevate a university and unite a community," Bartholomae said in a statement Monday, Aug. 17. "That is certainly true at Michigan State."

In an open letter to Spartan fans published the same day, Bartholomae pledged to "create a culture of Spartan Excellence without Exception" and said he looks forward to being at Spartan Stadium for the home football opener.

Bartholomae replaces J Batt, who left MSU for the University of Kentucky in June after one year on the job. Jon Palumbo has served as interim athletic director since July 10. Among the assets Bartholomae inherits: the $401 million commitment from East Lansing resident Greg Williams and his wife, Dawn, announced in December 2025. Of that gift, $290 million supports MSU's FOR SPARTA capital initiative, $100 million funds Spartan Ventures' name, image and likeness operations and $11 million goes to academics.

His WMU contract paid more than $750,000 annually and carried a $5.1 million buyout, The Detroit News reported. MSU has not disclosed the terms of his new deal.

The Board of Trustees vote on Sept. 11 is the next formal milestone before Bartholomae takes full control of MSU's 23-sport program.