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 gra...