University of North Carolina Athletics
Martina Ballen, Hubert West Named Tar Heel Trailblazers
February 2, 2026 | General, Track & Field
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Carolina Athletics will honor long-time administrator Martina Ballen and former UNC track and field student-athlete and coach Hubert West with 2026 Tar Heel Trailblazer awards.
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The award recognizes individuals who paved the way for success in all aspects of the student-athlete experience, shining a spotlight on pioneers who have made memorable and lasting contributions at UNC and beyond. The recognition coincides with the celebration of Black History Month during the month of February.
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The Trailblazers will be honored during timeouts of the men's basketball game on Feb. 28 vs. Virginia Tech and at a private reception afterward.Â
Ballen, who joined Carolina Athletics in 1987 as director of finance, retired at the end of January as senior associate athletics director and chief financial officer. The first African American administrator in UNC Athletics history, Ballen supported 44 Tar Heel national championships and managed a budget that has grown from $16 million to more than $180 million during her tenure.
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"When we started the Trailblazers, we knew that there had been so many people who came through the athletics program and achieved incredible accomplishments athletically, academically and really paved the way for others to follow," Ballen said. "We thought it was really important to honor those people.
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"I'm in awe to be on the other side of this," Ballen continued. "To be recognized as a Trailblazer, I'm honored and extremely humbled, because I know what this means. I know what kind of a group I'm becoming a part of and what they have accomplished. While I don't know that I've measured up to them in all that they have done, I really appreciate being recognized in this way."
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Ballen, who helped lead the launch the Tar Heel Trailblazers program in 2014, was honored with the Harvey Elliott Beech Outstanding Alumni Award in 2011, earned the C. Knox Massey Distinguished Service Award in 2018, was named one of the 50 champions of Carolina women's athletics in 2022 and was honored for her work toward social and racial justice causes with the 2024 ACC UNITE Award.Â
West was one of the first two African American track and field student-athletes at Carolina, competing for the Tar Heels from 1970-73. He went on to become a coach for UNC track and field, as an assistant from 1973-80 and '84-88, and as head coach from 1981-83, the first African American head coach for Carolina Athletics and a pioneer among Atlantic Coast Conference head coaches.
"I am deeply honored to receive the UNC Trailblazer Award," West said. "Receiving this award is both humbling and a source of gratitude for those who paved the way for me to not only attend the University of North Carolina but also to participate in track and field, reach my potential as a student-athlete and later serve the university as both an assistant coach and head coach. Special thanks are due to my late high school coach and counselor, Joe Hilton, and the athletics administration."
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Ballen and West are the 17th and 18th individuals to be recognized as Tar Heel Trailblazers.
Tar Heel Trailblazers
2014: Courtney Bumpers, Robyn Hadley, Ricky Lanier and Charles Scott
2015: Karen Stevenson, Charles Waddell and Stuart Scott
2016: Sharon Couch and Phil Ford
2018: Peter Henry and Rochelle Small-Toney
2020: Willie Cooper
2022: Synthia Scott Kearney, Reggie McAfee
2024: Sonya Bright, Mickey Hickerson
2026: Martina Ballen, Hubert West
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The award recognizes individuals who paved the way for success in all aspects of the student-athlete experience, shining a spotlight on pioneers who have made memorable and lasting contributions at UNC and beyond. The recognition coincides with the celebration of Black History Month during the month of February.
Â
The Trailblazers will be honored during timeouts of the men's basketball game on Feb. 28 vs. Virginia Tech and at a private reception afterward.Â
Ballen, who joined Carolina Athletics in 1987 as director of finance, retired at the end of January as senior associate athletics director and chief financial officer. The first African American administrator in UNC Athletics history, Ballen supported 44 Tar Heel national championships and managed a budget that has grown from $16 million to more than $180 million during her tenure.
Â
"When we started the Trailblazers, we knew that there had been so many people who came through the athletics program and achieved incredible accomplishments athletically, academically and really paved the way for others to follow," Ballen said. "We thought it was really important to honor those people.
Â
"I'm in awe to be on the other side of this," Ballen continued. "To be recognized as a Trailblazer, I'm honored and extremely humbled, because I know what this means. I know what kind of a group I'm becoming a part of and what they have accomplished. While I don't know that I've measured up to them in all that they have done, I really appreciate being recognized in this way."
Â
Ballen, who helped lead the launch the Tar Heel Trailblazers program in 2014, was honored with the Harvey Elliott Beech Outstanding Alumni Award in 2011, earned the C. Knox Massey Distinguished Service Award in 2018, was named one of the 50 champions of Carolina women's athletics in 2022 and was honored for her work toward social and racial justice causes with the 2024 ACC UNITE Award.Â
West was one of the first two African American track and field student-athletes at Carolina, competing for the Tar Heels from 1970-73. He went on to become a coach for UNC track and field, as an assistant from 1973-80 and '84-88, and as head coach from 1981-83, the first African American head coach for Carolina Athletics and a pioneer among Atlantic Coast Conference head coaches.
"I am deeply honored to receive the UNC Trailblazer Award," West said. "Receiving this award is both humbling and a source of gratitude for those who paved the way for me to not only attend the University of North Carolina but also to participate in track and field, reach my potential as a student-athlete and later serve the university as both an assistant coach and head coach. Special thanks are due to my late high school coach and counselor, Joe Hilton, and the athletics administration."
Â
Ballen and West are the 17th and 18th individuals to be recognized as Tar Heel Trailblazers.
Tar Heel Trailblazers
2014: Courtney Bumpers, Robyn Hadley, Ricky Lanier and Charles Scott
2015: Karen Stevenson, Charles Waddell and Stuart Scott
2016: Sharon Couch and Phil Ford
2018: Peter Henry and Rochelle Small-Toney
2020: Willie Cooper
2022: Synthia Scott Kearney, Reggie McAfee
2024: Sonya Bright, Mickey Hickerson
2026: Martina Ballen, Hubert West
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