Ballard holds the distinction of being the only person in MIAA history to be named a league Freshman of the Year in two sports as he earned that honor in 1998 for football and 1999 for baseball.
 
A three-time honorable mention All-MIAA selection in football, Ballard was a four-time All-MIAA pick in baseball, earning honorable mention All-MIAA three times and was a second-team All-MIAA pick his senior season.
 
Ballard ranks in the top ten in seven different career categories at Missouri Southern in baseball, as he is fourth in career runs (204) and walks (146), while ranking fifth in career stolen bases (62) and triples (12) and sixth in both at bats (692) and hits (226). He ranks ninth in career games (199). Ballard is also tied with many others for the MSSU single-game record with five hits.
 
On the football field, Ballard holds the record for most passes caught by a running back in a career with 72, and most receiving yards by a running back in a single-season with 377 in 1998 and in a career with 772. He holds the MSSU career record for punt returns with 75, and most career punt return yards with 699. He also holds the record for most career kickoff returns with 47. Ballard is tenth in single-season scoring in MSSU history with 72 points in 1998, while ranking ninth in career pass receptions with 99 and ranks ninth in career scoring with 158 points.
 
Ballard graduated from Missouri Southern in 2002 with a degree in criminal justice and resides in Joplin.