Mike and Cecelia Battle Establish Lasting Legacy with JMU Athletics

HARRISONBURG, Va. – Former James Madison football student-athlete and current Board of Visitors member Mike Battle ('81, '83M) and his wife Cecelia made a significant contribution to the university on Friday with the official announcement of a $600,000 gift to JMU Athletics. The gift consists of a $500,000 commitment to support the Convocation Center project and $100,000 to create an endowment that will provide current JMU student-athletes with experiential learning opportunities.

"The timing was right for us to be a part of the Convocation Center campaign; this project needs to become a reality for JMU to position itself to compete at the highest level. I also wanted to encourage others to make their commitment today," Battle said. "With the endowment, our intent is to create a pathway for JMU student-athletes to have a capstone experience as part of the leadership program to assist with their transition after graduation. I know from personal experience how difficult it is for many student athletes to have a level playing field in competition for jobs after college. With the tremendous time commitments they are making to compete at a high level, they aren't able to take advantage of internships and other professional development opportunities afforded many other students. We're looking for this program to help address this issue by continuing to grow the partnership with academics, athletics and the community while providing a holistic approach to learning to those participating."

Battle's entire gift represents the largest by a former football student-athlete in school history and includes matching the largest pledge to date toward the Convocation Center Project. JMU is currently fundraising towards a private donations goal of $12 million to move forward with planning and construction of a new 8,500-seat Convocation Center.

JMU Athletics strategic plan, Engaged in Excellence, includes an emphasis on academic achievement and student-athlete development. As part of that theme, the department is currently developing a dynamic leadership program that will launch in the Fall. Battle's internship endowment is the first within the new leadership program.

Director of Athletics Jeff Bourne said, "Mike has been a leader for many years in and around James Madison University, first on the football field as a student-athlete, then in the business world and now as an alumnus creating a blueprint for others to follow."

Battle received his undergraduate degree in communications and secured a master's degree in business administration two years later. He founded Battle Resource Management in 2004 and currently serves as the CEO. BRMi is an information technology and management consulting firm in both the federal government and commercial markets.

For more than 20 years, Battle has supported both the Duke Club Scholarship Fund and the football program. His new commitment adds both a capital pledge and creation of an endowment to a generous and diversified giving portfolio. "We can't thank Mike enough for this tremendous gift to JMU and the athletics program," Senior Associate Athletics Director David Biancamano said. "He is truly the model donor by supporting multiple areas within athletics and creating a foundation for future student-athletes to be successful."

JMU Athletics will work over the next year, with assistance from Battle, to integrate his internship endeavor into the current leadership development program, while also growing existing partnerships with local companies for internship opportunities.

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