"Over the last several weeks, whether it's been in conversations with Spartans, articles I've read or interviews I've listened to, I've been amazed at the widespread support for Kevin Guskiewicz," Izzo said in a statement Monday evening. "Even individuals who held different ideas spoke highly of his performance as president."

“As President Guskiewicz reaffirms his commitment to Michigan State University, this is a chance for every Spartan to do the same,” the statement continued.

Guskiewicz was voted to be Clemson University’s next president by the university's Board of Trustees on May 27. Shortly after, Batt took on the athletic director position at the University of Kentucky, as well as CEO for the university's for-profit LLC, Champions Blue. 

Hours after the announcement Batt would join the University of Kentucky in June, Izzo voiced his frustration with the successive departures, saying, "I'm a very invested stakeholder, but the alums better stand up. What happened with our president is ridiculous; he said it, we know the reasons and I'm ashamed, disgusted, hurt." 

On his way out the door, Guskiewicz placed blame on MSU's Board of Trustees for his departure, saying the board created an "unsustainable situation.”

Izzo described the successive losses of Guskiewicz and Batt as "self-inflicted." 

Over a month after announcing his resignation, Guskiewicz wrote in a community letter that he would remain MSU's president on Monday, saying that the public support "played an important role in my reflection and my conviction that this is where Amy and I are meant to be."

Following Guskiewicz's departure announcement, signs covered East Lansing reading “We (heart) KG,” signaling community support for the then-departing president as others mobilized against the Board of Trustees. 

Izzo wrote in his statement that Guskiewicz has shown "exceptional commitment" to MSU students, faculty, staff, alumni and community.

“Although I've always believed that no one individual is larger than the program or the University, strong leadership matters greatly," Izzo said. 

During Guskiewicz’s tenure, MSU has undergone record-breaking fundraising, including Greg and Dawn Williams’ $401 million donation and, most recently, a $10 million gift for the new Center for Engineering & Digital Innovation.

“The progress we've made as a university and the philanthropic support shown by our donors are evidence of momentum and belief in our future under his leadership,” Izzo said. 

It is unclear what Batt’s future is at MSU following Guskiewicz's decision to remain at the university. Guskiewicz is expected to hire an interim candidate for athletic director, although the position has yet to be vacated by Batt. 

At the time of publication, Batt is listed on the staff directories of both MSU and Kentucky. 

A source close to MSU told The State News Monday that the university is not looking to retain Batt after his departure announcement for Kentucky. 

If Guskiewicz were to have left MSU, Batt’s buyout would have been reduced from $5 million to $2.5 million.

It is currently unclear when Batt's last day at MSU will be. 

“Growth requires new ideas and allows for different perspectives, but we all must share a singular purpose of making MSU the greatest possible university it can be,” Izzo said. “It's a responsibility we owe to the Spartans past, present, and future.”