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>> "Pollard 'selling hope' at ISU," Cedar Rapids Gazette (5/6/07) 
>> "Athletics Director Has Made His Mark" Sioux City Journal (4/18/07)
>> "Family Matters," Iowa State Daily (10/11/06)
Jamie Pollard is in his fifth year as the Director of Athletics at Iowa State University and his impact in all areas of the department has been dramatic.
Hired in the fall of 2005, Pollard has re-shaped the department, improved its facilities dramatically, re-energized the fan base and set the Cyclones up for success on the field and in the classroom.
Pollard’s mission to improve the department in all areas has been marked by a relentless work ethic, “don’t-cut-the-corners” approach to problem solving and a belief that Iowa State Athletics can excel.
He has demonstrated a flair for marketing and his creativeness has lifted the athletics department’s operating budget a staggering 60% and, at the same time, eliminated its dependence upon state support.
The hard work is starting to pay off and the 2009-10 Cyclones just registered the best student-athlete graduation rate (79%) and best finish in the Directors’ Cup all-sports rankings (34th) in their history. Ten teams made post-season play last year - that includes the school’s third-ever bowl win - and an ISU-record eight squads earned first-division finishes in the rugged Big 12.
Three of his recent coaching hires - Paul Rhoads, Kevin Jackson and Fred Hoiberg - have strong ISU ties or are alums and each has sparked great interest and support.
Some of the additional highlights of his tenure include:
- Record annual donations (twice surpassing $6 million);
- More than $53 million in facility upgrades and construction (including the beautiful Sukup Basketball Complex);
- A re-engagement by Cyclones fans, documented by record season ticket sales in nearly all sports;
- Five consecutive years of improvement in the Directors’ Cup standings;
- Strong performance in the classroom with athletes registering higher GPAs than undergrads most years.
Pollard is a frequent speaker touting the state of the union for Cyclone Athletics and he is a tireless promoter for all things Iowa State.
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Early in his administrative career, Pollard outlined his perfect fit for an athletics department he someday wanted to lead. The characteristics included schools with Midwestern values, strong academic reputations and a highly competitive athletics conference. When the Iowa State job opened, Pollard knew it was the perfect fit and pursued the position with enthusiasm.
His arrival at ISU was preceded by three years (2003-05) as the Deputy A.D. at the University of Wisconsin. He was the school’s No. 2 athletics administrator for Barry Alvarez, who was then serving in the dual role of A.D. and football coach, and handled the overall administration of the athletics department.
Pollard was the Badgers’ chief financial officer and senior associate A.D. from 1998-2002. He was sports administrator for men’s and women’s basketball and the men’s team won two Big Ten titles and advanced to the Elite Eight of the 2005 NCAA Tournament.
During his tenure, UW completed a $110 million renovation of the football stadium, sold out football and basketball games and set a record for donations to the athletics department.
A strategic financial plan that Pollard authored (“Keeping Big Red in the Black”) helped UW Athletics climb out of debt and develop a $15 million reserve. He was chosen 2002 Business Manager of the Year by the Collegiate Athletic Business Managers Association (CABMA), an organization for which he served as president.
Before his stint at Wisconsin, Pollard served as associate A.D. for internal operations at St. Louis University (1989-94) and associate A.D. for administration at the University of Maryland (1994-98). He assisted with balancing budgets and creating reserves while helping implement gender equity plans at both institutions.
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In 2003, Pollard received a Street & Smith’s Sports Business Journal’s “Top Forty Under 40” award, which goes to the most influential and creative individuals in athletics under the age of 40. He was the first intercollegiate sports administrator honored by the magazine.
Pollard also founded and operated Collegiate Financial Services, LLC - a private data research company that provided strategic financial planning and research services – for several years.
Pollard received a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1987 from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. That same year, he was the NCAA Division III national champion in the 5,000-meter run. A two-time All-American for the Titans, Pollard was inducted into the UW-Oshkosh athletics hall of fame in 1999.
He and his wife, Ellen, have four children (Thomas, Annie, Maggie and James).
[updated July 2010]
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