Michigan State Hires Fitzgerald's Longtime Northwestern Executive

Michigan State has hired Mike Polisky, the longtime Northwestern executive who worked with Pat Fitzgerald on the business side for 11 years, reuniting the duo at the Spartans. The school named Polisky deputy athletics director and CEO of Spartan Ventures on Friday. In the role, he will set strategic priorities, pursue revenue in existing and new streams, and oversee operations supporting Michigan State athletics, becoming the primary sport administrator for football and men’s golf and providing leadership across department units. He replaces Jon Palumbo, who left for Kentucky in September. Polisky’s Northwestern exit came after his May 3, 2021 promotion to athletic director and resignation nine days later amid protests tied to a federal lawsuit alleging misconduct.