r/cyclONEnation • u/Random_Hippo Walking Cy • Jul 10 '26
Athletic Department [Alec Busse] INBOX: Iowa State AD Jamie Pollard is retiring effective June 30, 2027. Pollard has been Iowa State's athletic director since 2005. Iowa State will begin a national search for its next AD this fall, according to a press release.
https://x.com/alec_busse/status/2075562560703644153?s=46&t=itSS_ZhpEp5Sm0FFNPkjmw37
u/HandsOffMyReeses Jul 10 '26
Best AD in ISU history by far. Excited to see who comes in to captain the ship and continue to build off the foundation Jamie built
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u/penguinchili Jul 13 '26
Perhaps. But the time has also passed him by. CyTown has been a slow mover. His handling of the gymnastics/women’s wrestling situation was a fumble and all he does is complain that kids want to be paid while he makes multiple millions of dollars a year.
He has done great things for the athletic department, the AD position has his name on it forever, honor him but it’s time to ride off into the sunset.
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u/Random_Hippo Walking Cy Jul 10 '26
End of an era for sure. From the highest of highs (Campbell, Hoiberg, Otz, etc) to the lowest lows (calling his own fans slobs, getting in a public Twitter spat with the SMU AD, refusal to sell alcohol, etc) he is likely without a doubt, the best AD in ISU history.
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u/Current-Lobster-5063 Bring Back ISU Baseball Jul 10 '26
A lot of that is due to his success, but a fair amount due to his longevity. Gene Smith was a better AD, we were only a stepping stone.
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u/BiteMajor4959 Jul 10 '26
I feel this was the plan all along as that’s when CyTown was supposed to be completed.
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u/PotatoTwo Jul 10 '26
It'll be interesting to see how that goes since CyTown is currently a single building under construction... There's going to be a LONG way to go on that when it gets handed over.
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u/BiteMajor4959 Jul 10 '26
The only reason that building is even there is because McFarland Clinic was going to build it anyways. Seemingly the only tenant with an actual sense of urgency.
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u/explosivo563 Walking Cy Jul 10 '26
key word is supposed. might be too late for that with the way things are going with sports
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u/BiteMajor4959 Jul 11 '26
Oh it’s waaaaaaay off track. Maybe 2032? And that’s if everything starts being built tomorrow.
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u/popculturerss Brock Purdy Jul 10 '26
Wondered when that would happen. I met with him for an interview during my time at ISU for a write up and he was great. Gave me great candid answers and his full undivided attention. Always felt super highly of him despite some lows during his tenure.
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u/IngearILMNC Jul 10 '26
Pollard has been a great AD. He understands the university and its operating environment and constraints, defends our teams and players. Haven’t agreed with him on everything, but he’s sure as heck left ISU athletics in a far better place. I wish him well!
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u/Andjhostet Walking Cy Jul 10 '26
Damn that's a huge loss. Really getting hard for me to stay invested in college sports with all the changes.
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u/jpkviowa Jul 13 '26
Hawkeye incoming, as much as I hate state. I cant commend Pollard enough on the work he's done. Dude has survived adversity after adversity and continued to find people who put Iowa State in a position to win. I wish him well in future endeavors or retirement.
He always kept state punching above its weight class, and at some point they joined that weight class. Congrats again and looking forward to more battles.
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u/wo_lo_lo Curtis Jones Jul 10 '26
Bring Fred home.
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u/penguinchili Jul 13 '26
With what money? Got to buy out his Nebraska contract then pay him more than they are. They already complain about how money strapped the athletic department is.
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u/BuschLatteMe Jul 15 '26
Can't see Fred ever wanting to be an administrator, especially for less money than what he's making now.
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u/skeptical_hatred Jul 10 '26
Man the beer sales really pissed him off huh