Union University Athletics

Pavelonis played baseball and men's basketball during his four years at Union University. He received varsity letters in basketball in 1960, 1961, and 1962. He earned three baseball varsity letters (1959-61). 

Pavelonis was named all-conference twice in basketball (1962, 1963) and once in baseball (1961). He was the first athlete in Union University history to earn all-conference honors in two sports. 

In baseball, Pavelonis earned a starting role after a pitch-hit 3-run home run in the fourth game of the season versus Memphis State. After his freshman season, Pavelonis was offered $15,000 and a contract by the San Francisco Giants but decided to remain at Union to finish his eduction. It was a decision he never regretted. 

In basketball, Pavelonis averaged 16.2 points per game as a freshman, 13 points as a sophomore, 14 points as a junior, and 17 points as a senior. He set the free throw percentage record for a season with an .854 percentage. He currently sits in fifth place all-time in FT% for a season. His best game was a 33 -point outing as a senior versus Christian Brothers. 

After his playing career at Union, Pavelonis went to the San Francisco Giants spring training in Arizona as a free agent and was assigned to the Springfield AA team. 

Once his playing career was over and his degree completed, he spent the next 35 years as an English teacher. He has been involved in numerous organizations including being a delegate from the Illinois Education Association to the state and local boards. He was also a member of the National Education Association and was a delegate to Washington D.C. and Atlanta, Georgia. He was the faculty sponsor for the National Honors Society. 

Pavelonis coached basketball for 11 years, baseball for seven years, football for five years, and golf for 30 years. He and his wife Miki started the first junior golf tournament in Southern Illinois and ran it for several years. 

At Union, Pavelonis was a member of Alpha Tau Omega, Resident Fellow, Dorm Council, Worthy Usher, and Escort to Mr. and Mrs. Union.