Syracuse Sun

When Steven “Steve” W. Ballentine ’83 reflects on his time playing club volleyball at Syracuse University, he recalls the camaraderie and sense of belonging it fostered. However, he also remembers the financial challenges: “Club sports didn’t receive University funding back then. I remember each of us on the team had to chip in $5 so we could travel to play at the University of Rochester. We brought our sleeping bags to my parents’ home and slept there when we traveled to Philadelphia.”

These experiences influenced Steve and his wife, Beth (Shuman) Ballentine ’83, in making their recent donation as part of the Forever Orange Campaign. The nearly $2 million gift will fund a dedicated field with lights for club sports and establish an endowed fund to support club sports programs and participants needing assistance with fees, equipment, and travel expenses. In recognition of this contribution, Syracuse University’s Club Sports Program has been named the Ballentine Club Sports Program.

Steve, an investment advisor, and Beth, a published writer and essayist, have both maintained strong ties to sports throughout their lives. Beth played women’s ice hockey for nearly 20 years, while Steve is a competitive tennis player. “We’ve made lifelong friends through sports,” says Beth. “For me, it’s about physical health, connections with people and sisterhood.”

The couple has also maintained strong connections to Syracuse University through service and philanthropy. They have previously provided lead gifts for establishing the Ballentine Investment Institute at the Whitman School of Management and supported other initiatives within the school and Athletics department. Beth majored in advertising at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications; Steve earned a degree in business administration from Whitman School with dual majors in finance and accounting. He has been a member of Syracuse University’s Board of Trustees since 1998.

“Steve and Beth’s support will create an even more outstanding experience for the hundreds of students every year who find a place of belonging at Syracuse through club sports,” said Chancellor Kent Syverud. “Their generosity will help nurture student success beyond the classroom.”

As chair of the Board of Trustee’s Athletics Committee, Steve recognizes athletics' impact on student life: “Growing up, I played everything until I wasn’t good enough to play it at the varsity/JV level... There are so many young people like me who weren’t sports superstars... Finances can stand in their way.”

Syracuse currently hosts 45 club sports teams involving over 1,500 students organized by student leaders supported by club sports staff in the Student Experience Division. The Ballentines met with these leaders to understand how their financial support could be most impactful.

The Ballentine Club Sports Program Endowed Fund aims to ensure teams have resources for post-season competition participation and that team leaders can manage their programs effectively.

The new Ballentine Field for Club Sports will be located on South Campus across from Tennity Ice Skating Pavilion featuring irrigation and lights allowing evening practices or competitions.

The Ballentines anticipate that this initiative will foster significant growth in club sports providing opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds.