Bio

      Leo Balayon returns to Bethesda University as the Director of Athletics, Physical Education, and Recreation. In addition to his post in the athletics department, he also serves as the chair of sport management as well as external relations officer. Balayon comes back to Bethesda University after establishing the athletics program at neighboring Stanton University. He also briefly served as their director of athletics and head men's basketball coach. Prior to Stanton, Balayon previously served as the director of athletics and head men's basketball coach for the Lion Angels for almost a decade. Balayon is the first individual born and raised in the Philippines to ever become a college head men's basketball coach in the United States. In 2018, he was named conference coach of the year and regional co-coach of the year. Balayon holds the distinction of being the only mens college basketball coach in history to lead a non-NAIA/NCAA team to two upset victories over an NCAA Division 1 opponent. 

      Before his stint at Bethesda University, Coach Leo served as an assistant coach at Caltech, a Division 3 program in Pasadena, CA. There, he helped the program secure the best recruiting class in all of D3 basketball for the 2013-14 season. During this time, Balayon also briefly served as an assistant coach with the Afghanistan national team. Prior to this, Balayon served as the assistant coach for men's basketball at the now defunct Pacifical College of Moreno Valley, CA. Balayon got his start as a college basketball coach from the University of the Philippines in 2003. He served as an assistant with both the college and high school teams of the school system. He helped lead the high school squad to its first and only championship in the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP), the most prestigious intercollegiate league in his country of birth. 

      Balayon holds two master's degrees and chairs the sport management program at Bethesda University. In addition, he serves in other administrative capacities, one of which is as the university's external relations officer. He also serves as the interim coordinator for the West Region of the National Christian Colleges Athletics Association.