Feature Story
James Ballstaedt Named Vice President of Athletics and Strategic Growth
President Bonnie H. Cordon has named James Ballstaedt as Vice President of Athletics and Strategic Growth for Southern Virginia University. In this role, Ballstaedt will spearhead fundraising and strategic development for the university’s athletic programs, as well as drive strategic growth initiatives, with a focus on innovation, student experience, and long-term sustainability.
“James brings a remarkable blend of athletic insight and strategic vision to Southern Virginia University,” said President Cordon. “With decades of experience in both coaching and strategic development, James understands the importance of strong athletic funding not just for competitive success, but for the overall health and vibrancy of our university.”
“I’m incredibly excited about this new role and the opportunity to help move the university into its next phase of growth,” said Ballstaedt. “A significant portion of our student body are athletes, and one of my goals is to ensure our athletic programs are robustly funded. This not only strengthens our competitive edge but also frees up resources for other vital areas of the university.”
Before joining Southern Virginia, Ballstaedt co-founded and led a hospitality management company in Park City, Utah, specializing in luxury ski properties. Over nearly 20 years, he grew the business by launching and integrating complementary ventures within the hospitality and real estate sectors. Ballstaedt was named one of “Utah’s Top 40 Under 40” entrepreneurs by Utah Business Magazine in 2007.
After selling his company in 2017, Ballstaedt returned fulltime to his lifelong passion for basketball—coaching at the high school level before joining the collegiate ranks. He joined Southern Virginia University in 2023 as an assistant men’s basketball coach and also served as an advancement officer and the athletics liaison this past year.
“This is about building on the incredible foundation laid by so many dedicated individuals over the past 30 years,” said Ballstaedt. “We have many donors who generously support both the university and our athletics, and I’m excited to continue working hand-in-hand with our advancement team to enhance those relationships and explore new avenues of engagement.”
With over 20 years of business and athletic involvement, Ballstaedt will focus on advancing athletics through facility enhancements, brand sponsorships, NIL opportunities, and ensuring the university’s 28 teams are strongly supported to best serve the student-athletes as they compete and pursue their education.
“The strategic vision of our university is paramount to our continued success,” said Ballstaedt. “President Cordon has been instrumental in helping us see what we can become—as a university and as a community committed to helping students ‘Gather, Lift, and Launch.’ My role in this new position will focus on identifying and advancing the innovations, programs, and facilities needed to bring that vision to life.”
Ballstaedt holds a bachelor of science degree in sociology from the University of Utah and lives in Lexington with his wife, Kristen. They are the parents of four sons and three grandchildren.