MSU Names Dan Bartholomae as Next Director of Athletics
8/17/2026
EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State University President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D., with the support of the Board of Trustees has selected Dan Bartholomae as the university’s next vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics.
Bartholomae currently serves as the vice president and director of athletics at Western Michigan University, where he has led the department since 2022.
“The future of college athletics will belong to institutions that embrace innovation while remaining grounded in their mission,” Guskiewicz said. “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.”
In more than four years at Western Michigan, Bartholomae has guided Bronco Athletics to significant success, including multiple record-setting years in academic performance and community engagement, winning conference and national championships, and exceptional fundraising and external revenue growth. In 2026, he was named a finalist for the Sports Business Journal 2026 Athletic Director of the Year.
“It is a dream come true and a tremendous honor for my family and I to join the Spartan community! Michigan State Athletics has everything required to thrive in this new era of college sports: top-level student-athletes, outstanding coaches, a global alumni network and a university leadership team committed to excellence,” Bartholomae said. “Throughout my career, I have been drawn to institutions that believe athletics can elevate a university and unite a community. That is certainly true at Michigan State. I am excited to get to work, listen, learn and help elevate Spartan Athletics to new standards together with all of you.”
Western Michigan has won 37 conference championships under Bartholomae’s leadership, while also totaling 35 NCAA postseason appearances, 17 All-Americans and 38 conference of the year/specialty award recipients. The highlight was men’s ice hockey capturing the 2025 NCAA Championship for the first time in school history and the first WMU National Championship in 60 years. That extraordinary accomplishment was immediately followed by only the 4th Conference Football Championship at WMU, making them only the third institution in Division I history to win a national championship in hockey and a Football Bowl Subdivision Conference Championship in the same calendar year.
In addition to Bartholomae’s leadership skills and strong fundraising success, Guskiewicz also mentioned his experience building new facilities at Oregon State University and WMU, a focus on student-athlete personal growth and previous experience in athletics compliance that bring important skill sets to the top job at MSU.
Since his arrival in Kalamazoo, Bartholomae led record-breaking fundraising efforts for the department. Average annual giving has increased by 473%, and the number of unique donors has increased by 105%.
In 2024, WMU partnered with a local developer to begin construction on a $515 million downtown arena to serve as the home for Bronco basketball and hockey, funded completely through private resources.
Michigan State Athletics enters this new chapter from a position of significant strength. Across 23 varsity sports, Spartan student-athletes continue to excel in competition, in the classroom and in service to others. Recent years have brought Big Ten championships, national postseason appearances and growing national visibility for Spartan programs, reflecting a department-wide commitment to competitive excellence and the student-athlete experience.
“Our student-athlete success extends beyond the playing field,” Guskiewicz said. “Our athletes have matched the highest graduation rate in department history, posted graduation success rates among the best in the Big Ten and consistently earned recognition for academic achievement, leadership and community engagement. Dan will lead an already strong program, but I know he will find ways to push us all into new areas of excellence.”
Prior to his arrival in Kalamazoo, Bartholomae spent five years as the deputy athletic director at Oregon State in charge of capital projects and internal operations and was later promoted to executive deputy athletic director and chief operating officer. While at OSU, he led the Completing Reser Stadium project, supporting a $153 million stadium renovation.
Before Oregon State, Bartholomae gained a wide range of experience at the University of Pittsburgh. He started in 2002 as a compliance and game operations assistant and concluded his 15-year stint with the department as the deputy AD responsible for internal affairs.
Bartholomae holds a bachelor’s degree in policy analysis and public affairs from Indiana University and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh. He and his wife, Lauren, have two children, Dylan and Lily.
Bartholomae’s first day will be Monday, Aug. 31. The MSU Board of Trustees will formally approve Bartholomae’s contract at its upcoming Sept. 11 meeting.
A news conference to introduce Bartholomae to the Spartan community will take place Wednesday, Aug. 19 at 1 p.m. MSU Athletics will share additional details as plans are finalized.
