Joey Batt accepts a special commendation from Mayor Kathleen Backer. The commendation recognized Batt for exceptional talent and elite level of competition demonstrated by contributing to the Mavericks Women's Basketball program.

NEW ULM – Mayor Kathleen Backer presented Mankato Mankato State University-Mankato women’s basketball player and New Ulm native Joey Batt a commendation Tuesday.

The special commendation cited Batt’s exceptional talent and elite level of competition. In March, Batt and the Mavericks won the 2024 NCAA Division II National Championship. Batt was also named the Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) Women’s Basketball All-America Third Team. She ended her career as a three-time Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Defensive Player of the year. Other accolades include being named the NSIC Tournament MVP and the MVP of the Central Region Tournament. Before joining the Mavericks, Batt set the all-time leading scoring record at New Ulm High School with a career total of 2,301.

“You make us all proud,” Backer said to Batt during the ceremony.

Batt was grateful to receive support from her home town. She said during the NCAA Division II tournament, her team felt a huge outpouring from the Mankato area, including New Ulm. She said knowing everyone was still supporting her meant a lot.

“It is great to see support from home,” she said.

Batt said her next plans are moving to St. Louis Park this summer to pursue a career in elementary education. She will also pursue coaching positions. Her aim is to start as an assistant coach. Batt said she wanted basketball to remain a part of her life.