TEMPE, Ariz. - Northwestern Head Women’s Tennis Coach Claire Pollard has been named the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s (ITA) Timothy Russell Meritorious Service Award winner for 2026, the ITA announced on Monday. The honor is awarded annually to an ITA coach who has gone “above and beyond” in their commitment and contributions to college tennis.
“Tennis has been a lifelong love of mine, shaping nearly every cherished relationship I have today,” said Pollard in an ITA release. “I owe an unpayable debt to this game and to my parents for setting me on this path. To receive an award honoring the legacy of Tim Russell is an incredible privilege—and having it presented by my dear, lifelong friend Dave [Mullins, ITA CEO] makes it unforgettable. Moving forward, my goal remains to give back to the game that has given me everything. Thank you so much for this wonderful honor. Go ‘Cats!”
The award is named in honor of ITA CEO Emeritus, Dr. Timothy Russell, and is endowed by Jody & John Arnhold and the Arnhold Foundation.
Set to begin her 29th year at the helm, Pollard has kept Northwestern women’s tennis consistently in the national conversation. Beginning with 11 consecutive Big Ten regular season titles in her first 11 seasons, Pollard has collected 32 total conference titles (15 regular season, 17 tournament) and has shepherded her team to the NCAA Tournament in 24 of 28 years in Evanston.
During her nearly three decades with the team, Pollard has coached NU to several program records, including its first No. 1 national ranking, back-to-back No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Championships in 2008 and 2009, and consecutive ITA National Indoor Team championships in 2009 and 2010. The 2009 season saw Pollard guide the 'Cats to a program record 29 wins, setting the team high for single-season winning percentage (.935) and shutouts (25) along the way.
Prior to her coaching career, Pollard was a National Doubles Champion at Mississippi State, where she played from 1986 to 1989 and set multiple program records. Following her collegiate career, she made stops as head coach at her alma mater, Mississippi State (1990-91), and Lamar (1994-98), where she led both the men's and women's teams, before joining the ‘Cats ahead of the 1998-99 season.
In addition to her coaching and playing accolades, Pollard has been consistently committed to advancing and improving collegiate tennis. Most recently, she welcomed the reformatted ITA Division I Women’s National Team Indoor Championships to Combe Tennis Center in 2025 and 2026, helping establish the event’s new structure. She has held leadership positions at the local and national levels, including a stint on the ITA’s Board of Directors, and has been a voice and mentor in the industry as the landscape of collegiate athletics shifts. A USTA/ITA National Campus & Community Outreach Award winner, Pollard has made engagement of the Evanston and Chicagoland tennis community a hallmark of her tenure with the 'Cats.
Pollard will receive her award during the upcoming ITA Leadership Awards Weekend in New York, N.Y.