UNC Senior Associate Athletic Director and Chief Financial Officer Martina Ballen, who worked for the university for more than 38 years, will retire this winter. Her last day of work will be February 1, 2026.

“Martina’s professionalism, integrity, teamwork, service to others, dedication to excellence and steady leadership – all through decades of change in the athletics industry – epitomize what it is to be a Tar Heel,” said UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham. “We thank her for all she has done to shape Carolina Athletics, assist the university and leave a lasting impact on our student-athletes, coaches and staff.”

Ballen was the first Black administrator in the history of the UNC athletic department. In her time with the school, Ballen worked with three different athletic directors and saw Tar Heel teams win 44 national championships. The athletic department’s budget grew more than tenfold, from $16 million to more than $180 million, under her guidance.

A UNC alumna, Ballen graduated in 1980 with a degree in business administration and went on to earn her MBA from Wake Forest University in 1984. During her undergraduate career in Chapel Hill, Ballen worked with the football program’s recruiting staff at Kenan Stadium’s east end zone field house, which has since been replaced by the Loudermilk Center for Excellence, better known as the “Blue Zone.” Ironically, Ballen’s office is now in that building.

Ballen began her career at UNC in 1987 as the athletic department’s director of finance. She was promoted to associate director in 1995, senior associate in 2001 and chief financial officer in 2011. She also served as an administrator for the women’s basketball and gymnastics programs.

In 2018, Ballen received the C. Knox Massey Distinguished Service Award, which recognizes “unusual, meritorious or superior contributions by University employees.” Four years later, Ballen was recognized as one of 50 champions of women’s athletics at UNC.

Former UNC athletic director John Swofford, who hired Ballen in 1987, said she brought “both a professionalism and a human touch to the financial side of the department… her capabilities are only surpassed by her human qualities.”

Dick Baddour, who took over the athletic department from Swofford in 1998, described Ballen’s approach as “professional, straightforward and honest, always with a clear mind and a strong voice… the department and the university are much better off because of her commitment and dedication.”

Said former UNC men’s basketball head coach Roy Williams of Ballen, “She will always be an all-star in my eyes.”

Other honors received by Ballen include the Harvey Elliott Beech Outstanding Alumni Award in 2011, which recognizes African-American alumni who show “outstanding leadership” within the school and the community, and the Atlantic Coast Conference UNITE Award in 2024, which honors work toward social and racial justice causes. In 2014, Ballen helped launch Tar Heel Trailblazers, which honors pioneers from UNC sports past and present during Black History Month.

Currently, Ballen sits on the board of the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, and will serve as its treasurer beginning in January. Previously, Ballen, whose eldest son is autistic, chaired the board of directors of the Autism Society of North Carolina.

 

Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications

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