photo

Virginia Tech Athletics Department


Blacksburg, VA 24061

John Ballein
Executive Associate AD
Executive Staff
(540) 231-3357 :: Send Email

Responsibilities: Ballein serves as the primary sports administrator for the football and baseball programs. He is also is the secondary sport administrator for men’s and womens’s basketball. In addition, Ballein oversees the strength and conditioning and equipment services programs for each of Tech’s athletic teams. Ballein works closely with Tom Gabbard in all phases of facilities and game operations at Tech.

Joined VT Athletics Staff: 1987

At Virginia Tech: Ballein began his career as a graduate assistant coach in 1987 on Frank Beamer’s first Virginia Tech staff; departmental recruiting coordinator (1989-1996); assistant director of athletics for football operations (1996-2000); Associate AD for football operations 2000-15.

Prior to Virginia Tech: Ballein served as a teacher and football, basketball, and track coach at Woodrow Wilson High School in Portsmouth, Va., in 1983-84, and then served as teacher and coached football, basketball, and baseball, at Western Branch High in Chesapeake, Va., in 1985-86.

Education: Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 1983 (B.S. in health and physical education); Old Dominion University, 1987 (Masters of Education); Virginia Tech, 2006 (Doctorate of Education).

Of Note: Ballein’s accomplishments as a multifaceted athlete at Bentworth High School (football, baseball and wrestling) led to his induction into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame (Washington-Greene Chapter) in 2013; The Mon Valley Sports Hall of Fame in 2016. Ballein excelled at football and went on to play linebacker at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Personal: A native of Bentleyville, Pa., Ballein is married to the former Stephanie Green, a Hokie basketball player in her undergraduate days and current Senior Associate Director of Athletics at Radford University. They have two daughters, Jordan Gray, a senior at Radford University, and Jalyn Ann, a sophomore at Georgia Southern University.