>> "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 seventh year as the Director of Athletics at Iowa State University and his impact has been dramatic.

There is enthusiasm in the Cyclone fan base today, and it is the result of Pollard’s vision and the collective efforts of the entire staff.

Pollard’s mission to raise the profile of the Cyclones has been accomplished with a relentless work ethic, a creative approach to problem solving and a belief that Iowa State Athletics can excel in the Big 12. The Cyclone brand has never been stronger.

The Iowa State Athletics Department has steadily improved its performance in the classroom, in competition, at the gate and financially during Pollard’s tenure.

Here are several highlights:

• A re-engagement by Cyclones fans, documented by record season ticket sales in its five major sports;
• With the completion of the Cyclone Sports Complex (for track & field, soccer and softball) and a Football Training Facility, the department has invested over $100 million in new construction and renovations;
• Student-athletes have recorded a higher grade-point average than undergraduates in six of the last seven seasons;
• Competitive improvement, including Top 50 finishes in the Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup in two of the last three years;
• An annual operating budget of more than $50 million for the first time;
• Elimination of state financial support in 2011 while, at the same time, establishing a $6 million operating reserve;
• Launched a new digital network, named Cyclones.tv, that will deliver department content year-round;
• Record annual Cyclone Club donations (four times surpassing $6 million).

In addition to his responsibilities at Iowa State, Pollard has served as chair of the Big 12 Athletics Directors Committee and the Big 12 Wrestling Committee and is First Vice-President of the Division 1A Athletics Directors Association. 

While chair of the Big 12 AD group, the league solidified its stability with the hiring of a new commissioner, a long-term grant of television rights, the addition of two new members and a bowl alliance with the SEC.

------------------------------

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 Deputy Athletics Director at the University of Wisconsin. He handled the overall administration of the athletics department for Barry Alvarez, who was then serving in the dual role of A.D. and football coach. 

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. 

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. 

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 was chosen 2002 Business Manager of the Year by the Collegiate Athletic Business Managers Association (CABMA), an organization for which he served as president. He also served as Tournament Director for the 2002 NCAA Men’s Basketball Midwest Regional.

Before his stint at Wisconsin, Pollard served as associate A.D. for administration at the University of Maryland (1994-98) and associate A.D. for internal operations at St. Louis University (1989-94). 

He was also employed at Arthur Andersen (1987-89) as a Certified Public Accountant prior to beginning his athletics administration career. 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 was named the Titans’ Senior Male Athlete of the Year in 1987 and honored as the school’s Outstanding Young Alumnus in 1996.

He and his wife, Ellen, have four children (Thomas, Annie, Maggie and James). The Pollard family’s local philanthropic efforts have benefitted Blank Children’s Hospital, Variety Children’s Charity and United Way of Central Iowa.