2008 ABA Hall of Fame Inductee

Donnie Ballew

“Big Daddy” Donnie Ballew’s commitment to the kids of South Carolina, the ABA, BMX (Bicycle Motocrosss) and the track formerly known as Southside BMX began over 14 years ago, early in the summer of 1994.  Donnie, who in 1994 was a single Dad of two, stepped forward to do what nobody else would.  He became the Track Operator of Southside BMX.   A position he served in for over 14 years, until his passing in July of 2008. 

Donnie Ballew was not only a Track Operator but he was truly a BMXican in every sense of the word.  Donnie raced BMX for the last 12 years of his life.  He absolutely loved racing his bike, and he was pretty darn good at it too!  Despite his ongoing battle with cancer and two broken hips in 2006 and 2007, Donnie earned eleven NAG plates, won the coveted Gold Cup in 1997, and the South Carolina State Championship Finals seven times between 1996 and 2004.  In 2002 he earned the honor of running a NAT 40 plate, and in 2003 a NAT 101 plate.  During his BMX racing career Donnie rode as a member of original Vintage BMX Factory Team, the NBL Schanewolf Cycle Sports Team and the Shade Cycles Bike Shop Team.

In 2005 Donnie took on the biggest challenge of his life.  Donnie was diagnosed with colon cancer and he told it was incurable.  Donnie despite his illness never wavered in his determination or commitment to the kids.  In 2007 after a massive track reconstruction project, the Greenville County Recreation District recognized Donnie's dedication when it approved a proposal to officially rename the Southside BMX track to “Donnie Ballew’s Ultimate Challenge BMX”.  The name was chosen by the Recreation District to honor Donnie, while at the same time describing the new track and Donnie’s own indomitable spirit that he had shown during his battle with cancer.  The Recreation District understood what Donnie knew, BMX is a life lesson in itself.  You may fall down in the race; but you must somehow find it within yourself to get back up, dust off, and keep going on to the finish line.  Just as in life.  Thus “Ultimate Challenge” became part of the name as well.

Donnie Ballew, the single father, the BMX racer and Track Operator is a shining example of selfless service.  We can look to him as a role model of what all of us ought to aspire to.  He was a man that served unnoticed for over 14 years, that did it solely for the love of a child’s laughter and smile.  We will be forever grateful that Donnie Ballew has been there for the community, our kids, and our sport.  We can all learn something from “Big Daddy” Donnie Ballew.

"They (the kids) learn how to win. They learn how to lose. They learn how to get along with each other, and how to compete with each other.  You wouldn’t believe how the kids and teenagers talk to each other about how to do better. It’s just a pleasing situation to see the kids get a long and work with each other and how they can better themselves racing.” -    Donnie Ballew 2007

"My number one rule is no fightin', fussin', or cussin'." - Donnie Ballew timeless