Over the next few months, LEAD1 and the National Football Foundation are teaming up to share stories of former players and support staff for original Football Matters ® content.
Will Batson
Legislative Assistant, Senator Ted Cruz
Hometown: Florence, Ala.
Age: 32
Education: Bachelor’s in Economics and Finance, University of North Alabama; MBA, College of William & Mary
In his fifth year as a legislative assistant in the U.S. Senate, Will Batson manages energy environment issues as well as infrastructure and agriculture issues for Senator Ted Cruz. That has put him in the middle of intense conversations with constituents and different groups on matters important to them and the state of Texas.
Will Batson turned heads with his poise and composure during his four years as a punter on the North Alabama football team. ????: UNA Athletics.
“When I’m not meeting with constituents it’s running through those issues, learning more about them, and seeing how our Senator can be helpful to them,” Batson said. “During those meetings you’re hearing about potential opportunities where the Senator can take action whether it is introducing legislation or calling over to different agencies.”
It was back in 2006-10 that Will began to turn heads with his poise and composure during his four years as a punter on the University of North Alabama football team. He was a member of two conference championship teams, four NCAA playoff teams, and received Academic All-America® honors.
Batson also played professionally with the Tennessee Titans in 2012 and Arizona Cardinals in 2013.
Now he’s putting all those experiences to work in the U.S. Senate.
Will Batson on Capitol Hill.
“The great thing about football is whether you are offense or defense, you learn to work with teammates from different backgrounds, who play on different sides of the ball,” Batson said. “You learn that collaborative effort. I think that translates well in D.C. because you’re able to say you’ve been in situations like that where you see problems through a different lens.”
Will is still deeply involved with football in addition to his role in the U.S. Senate.
“A few high school athletes that I’ve worked with, they’re now playing at Mississippi State and two are at my alma mater, North Alabama,” Batson said. “Whenever I get back to Alabama, I try to work with them. When it’s warm in Washington, I work with kids in Virginia and give kicking lessons. I enjoy it because it’s an opportunity to get away from politics (laugh), and much needed.”
What’s the best business advice you’ve received?
I think this is true outside of the Capitol Hill and regardless of your profession but especially here, you must build that network. Build those relationships. You never know when your paths might cross, or how someone else might influence your life.
Who inspires you?
First and foremost, my parents and my granddad. My granddad would always be out there tossing balls to me whenever he could. My dad would always film me and help shag footballs or throw baseballs to me. My high school football coach was instrumental, and the special teams coach at North Alabama really helped me progress as a kicker and punter. All my college coaches were all great mentors to have.
And then of course in sports, Ozzie Smith. I was a big St. Louis Cardinals fan and always admired him. I had the opportunity to meet him in college when he came to speak at North Alabama.
We’d be surprised to know that…
I was a pitcher for one season on the North Alabama baseball team.
