J Batt’s first major move at Kentucky is a familiar one.
The Wildcats announced Tuesday morning that Jon Palumbo has been hired as Executive Deputy Athletics Director and Deputy CEO of Champions Blue, LLC, giving Batt a top lieutenant he knows well from previous stops at Michigan State and Georgia Tech. Palumbo arrives in Lexington with more than 20 years in Division I athletics and a résumé that includes “track records in revenue generation, capital projects, sport oversight, fan engagement and organizational leadership.”
He takes over the No. 2 role in the athletic department after Marc Hill recently left for BYU.
Batt made clear in the school’s release that this was about more than filling a vacancy.
“Kentucky has tremendous momentum, and we’re building with purpose for where college athletics is headed,” Batt said in UK’s press release. “Jon is one of the most respected leaders in our industry and someone I trust deeply.
He brings a unique combination of strategic vision, operational excellence and experience leading athletic departments at the highest level. He will be an invaluable partner as we continue investing in our student-athletes, serving the Big Blue Nation and strengthening the future of Kentucky Athletics and Champions Blue.
We’re excited to welcome Jon and Rachel to our Kentucky family.”
Palumbo currently serves as CEO of Spartan Ventures at Michigan State, a role tied closely to the same kind of work he’ll now help drive at Kentucky through Champions Blue. At MSU, he has focused on expanding student-athlete NIL support, improving athletics infrastructure and building new revenue strategies. He also served as interim athletics director there after Batt left for Lexington over the summer.
His background stretches beyond East Lansing. Palumbo previously was the athletics director at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and served as deputy athletics director at VCU.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in communication from La Salle in 2001, graduating with honors, and completed his MBA there in 2003.
Palumbo said he sees both the challenge and the opportunity in front of Kentucky.
“I am incredibly honored to join one of the premier universities and athletic departments in the nation, and I am grateful to J Batt and President Capilouto for their belief in me and in how I can help elevate our athletics program,” Palumbo said. “While this is a challenging time in intercollegiate athletics, it is also a time for opportunities, and I am confident that Kentucky is in a great position to take advantage. Rachel and I look forward to joining the Wildcat and Lexington communities.”
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