Endowed Cyclone Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard, who has led the Iowa State athletics program through a period of innovation for 22 years, has announced his upcoming retirement Friday. As the longest-tenured active Athletics Director in the Power 4, he plans to conclude his service on June 30, 2027, or once a successor is prepared to take over.
Regarding his decision to step away, Pollard emphasized the importance of timing for his family, stating in a press release: “My wife, Ellen, and I look
forward to the next chapter in our life’s journey, and it is important to us that we transition now, while we are both healthy and young, so we can fully enjoy our retirement years. I am grateful to President Cook for allowing me to share this news now and hopefully it will allow the university plenty of time to properly transition new leadership to our department during a transformational time in college athletics.”
Pollard also reflected on the deep bond his family has formed with the Ames community since his arrival two decades ago, remarking: “When we moved to Ames in 2005, we did not anticipate the impact being a Cyclone would have on our family. The personal and professional opportunities our family has experienced during the past 21 years have been truly amazing.”
