Hall of Fame
Jame R. Ballantine's athletic accomplishments are still vividly remembered by college fans who saw him play baseball and football for Marietta College 30 years ago.
Known better as "Buck," he earned eight letters- four each in football and baseball- before graduating in 1955.
In baseball. Ballentine set new records in several categories, including hitting 15 home runs in 59 games. His diamond records stood for many years. He also was a strong defensive catcher.
As a center, punter and fullback for four Pioneer grid teams, Ballantine was All-Ohio in his final season. He also was captian of the football team as a senior and won the college's Way-Weigelt Award for 1954-55 as the school's outstanding athlete.
The legendary Dom Drumm selected Ballentine as one of Marietta College;s finest performers ever in both baseball and football.
Following graduation, Ballentine stayed in Marietta for three years, serving as an assistant football coach at Marietta High School and at the college working as a sanitarian for the Washington County Health Department.
From Marietta he went to Roseville to assume the head football coaching position at the high school, and later he was head coach at Crooksville High School. He went on to earn a master's degree in 1967 and now serves as guidance counselor for Sheridan High School of Thornville.
