Lou Balenton only participated in athletics for two years a t Wayland, but what years they were. He came to the Pioneers from what was the Howard County College on a basketball scholarship. He went on to letter not only in basketball, but also in track and field and baseball.
    A 6’5” native of Conway, Ark., he led the 1963-64 Pioneers to their best win total in three years, scoring 446 points for a 17.2 per game average, while shooting an amazing 48% from the field. He was also the team’s rebound leader with 425, and he earned NAIA All0District honors.
    During his second season as a Pioneer Netter, Balenton had a career high 38 points and 17 rebounds against Western New Mexico. He was also leading the Pioneers in scoring with a 19.9 per game average.
    As good as Balenton was at basketball, he was also a magnificent high jumper. In fact, his success on the college’s first official track team helped label him as one of the “pioneers of Wayland track and field.” His 6’6” jump at the 1964 Border Olympics was good enough for fourth place. He also had a third place finish at the West Texas Relays, a second place finish in the Texas relays, and he had the winning jump when Wayland hosted their first ever meet, a dual with Eastern New Mexico. His 6’9” leap was a team record for a number of years.
    Balenton not only participated in Wayland athletics, but he also served as director of the college’s intramural programs, was active in student government and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
    In May 1990, Balenton Received a BSOE from Wayland with a major in Religious Studies. He is a retired letter carrier for the United States Postal Service, and pastor of the New Trinity Baptist Church in Morton, Texas. He continued to play basketball after college, and led his team to the Plainview City League Championship.
    Balenton has also played an active role in Plainview. He was named Outstanding Jaycee, has been a member of the Black Awareness Committee, and served on the Caprock Community Action Board of Directors. Balenton also served one year on the City of Plainview Charter Commission.
    He and his wife, the former Eva Davis who is also a Wayland Graduate, have three children Barry, Elaine and Charisse.