Northwestern University Athletics
Claire Pollard Named Head Women's Tennis Coach
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
June 17, 1998
EVANSTON, Ill. - Claire Pollard has been named Northwestern Universitys head women's tennis coach. The announcement was made today by athletic director Rick Taylor. Pollard comes to Northwestern from Lamar University where she has been the head womens tennis coach for the past five years and the head mens tennis coach for the past four seasons. She replaces Lisa Fortman, who resigned in May to pursue other interests.
We are very pleased to get someone with Claire's experience as both a coach and a player, said Taylor. Her extensive background will greatly enhance our program as it continues to make an impact on the national level.
During her stint at Lamar, Pollard guided the women's team to a 62-19 overall record. The 1997 squad recorded an 18-4 mark and a third-place finish at the Sun Belt Conference Championship. The 18 wins were the most by a Cardinal team since 1984.
Prior to her stint at Lamar, Pollard was the junior development coordinator at the Chris Lane Tennis Club in England from 1992-93. She began her coaching career at her alma mater, Mississippi State, where she was the assistant women's tennis coach from 1989-90. She was then elevated to head coach, a role which she served for two years (1990-92).
Pollard, a native of Surrey, England, had a heralded collegiate and professional playing career. The 1989 NCAA Doubles Champion, Pollard won back-to-back SEC indoor and outdoor doubles titles. She earned All-America honors on the court and in the classroom and was named Mississippi State's Female Athlete of the Year in 1989. On the professional level, she participated in the 1989 Wimbledon Tennis Championships and the 1989 U.S. Open Tennis Championships.
She earned a bachelor's degree in fitness management and a master's degree in sports administration from Mississippi State.
