Texas A&M Professor Paul Batista Continues Role on 2023-24 SEC Executive Committee
Texas A&M University Faculty Athletics Representative Paul Batista will continue to serve as a member of the 2023-24 Southeastern Conference Executive Committee, the league office announced last month.
Dr. Batista, who was originally selected to the SEC Executive Committee in 2022, is an Associate Professor in the Sport Management Division in the Department of Health and Kinesiology within the College of Education and Human Development, serving as Division Chair and Associate Department Head from 2010-2014. He received his Juris Doctor degree from Baylor University Law School in 1976, and his B.S. in Business Administration from Trinity University in 1973. In 2013 he earned a Certificate of Advanced Studies in European Sports Law and Policy presented by the Faculty of Law, University of Leuven, Belgium.
Batista was appointed as Faculty Athletics Representative for Texas A&M in 2016, making him the primary liaison to the NCAA and SEC. He also serves on the Faculty Athletics Council and the A&M Pro Sports Panel that advises student-athletes contemplating a career as a professional athlete.
University of Alabama President Dr. Stuart Bell will begin a two-year term as the President of the SEC’s Executive Committee starting July 1, and University of Tennessee Chancellor Dr. Donde Plowman will begin a two-year term as Vice President of the committee while University of Mississippi Faculty Representative Ron Rychlak continues as the Secretary.
Joining the committee is University of Missouri President Dr. Mun Choi who will become Vice President in 2025. In addition to Batista, the continuing members of the committee are University of Arkansas Director of Athletics Hunter Yurachek, Mississippi State University Senior Woman Administrator Ann Carr.
The SEC Executive Committee is comprised of the three officers of the Conference and four individuals elected at the regular annual conference meeting. The elected members are composed of a Chief Executive Officer, Director of Athletics, Senior Woman Administrator and Faculty Athletics Representative.
The primary responsibility of the SEC Executive Committee is to approve the annual operating budget of the Conference and oversee all financial and fiscal affairs of the Conference as administered by the Commissioner.
2023-24 Southeastern Conference Executive Committee
Dr. Stuart Bell (Alabama), President
Dr. Donde Plowman (Tennessee), Vice President
Ron Rychlak (Ole Miss), Secretary
Dr. Mun Choi (Missouri)
Hunter Yurachek (Arkansas)
Ann Carr (Mississippi State)
Batista