Former Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch will be the Eastern Michigan University commencement speaker this Sunday, April 26 at EMU’s Convocation Center. Batch, who graduated from EMU in 1997, will receive an honorary Doctor of Public Service Degree during the 2 p.m. ceremony for students from the College of Business, the College of Education and the College of Health & Human Services.
Batch, a native of Homestead, is a former NFL star quarterback who now works as a community advocate, author, media personality, entrepreneur and professional speaker.
Batch set numerous school and Mid-American Conference records while at EMU, and graduated with a degree in criminal justice. He was selected in the second round of the NFL draft in 1998 as a starting quarterback for the Detroit Lions. In 2002, Batch joined the Pittsburgh Steelers as a back-up quarterback and was instrumental in critical games that led the team to two Super Bowl wins.
Batch’s leadership within the NFL has included positions such as vice president of the executive committee for the NFL Players Association, and NFL spokesperson for the United Way. He continues with the NFL, as Senior Captain for “The Trust” (NFLPA program for former players) and providing game analysis for a variety of national sports media outlets.
Batch is known for his community activism and philanthropy. In 1999, he created the Best of the Batch Foundation, which gives children from Pittsburgh a safe place to learn and grow. The Foundation includes a summer basketball league that teaches good sportsmanship and life skills, year-long reading and computer literacy programs, and the Batchpacks for Kids school supply program.
He also serves on multiple boards, including the Strong Women, Strong Girls National Advisory Board and the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh.
Batch has received numerous awards, including the United Way of Allegheny County’s Outstanding Campaign Volunteer of the Year in 2014, the Bryon Whizzer White NFL Man of the Year Award and the Hero of the Midst award from the Baptist Ministries Conference.
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