EVANSTON, Illinois – Legendary women’s tennis coach Claire Pollard has signed a contract extension that will keep her at the Wildcats helm through the 2026 season, Combe Family Vice President for Athletics and Recreation Dr. Derrick Gragg announced Tuesday.
“Head coaches are the backbone of any athletic department and few can match the accomplishments that Claire Pollard has authored in Evanston,” Gragg said. “Her leadership has turned Northwestern women’s tennis into a Big Ten Conference powerhouse and perennial national contender. She has consistently recruited and developed student-athletes that represent our University with passion, pride and integrity at the highest levels of the sport, and we are excited to have her guiding Wildcats tennis for years to come.”
Pollard took over the Northwestern program in 1999 and has led the ‘Cats to the NCAA postseason every year it has been conducted, compiling a 490-162 record in dual matches. Under her leadership the Wildcats have set the standard in Big Ten women’s tennis with a remarkable 223-29 record in Conference play, 15 Big Ten Tournament titles and 13 regular-season crowns. In recognition of that success she has earned five Big Ten Coach of the Year awards, five ITA Midwest Region Coach of the Year honors, and was recognized as the National Coach of the Year in 2008.
“I’ve had the great fortune to coach a wonderful group of women and work alongside world-class colleagues during my time at Northwestern,” said Pollard. “Each season starts with the expectation we will compete for championships, and that ambition is something I don’t take for granted. I’m grateful to Dr. Gragg and his executive team for their faith in me to lead this program into the future.”
During her tenure the program has had 59 individual NCAA qualifiers, 10 Midwest Regional singles champions, 59 All-Big Ten honorees and 95 Academic All-Big Ten recipients. Wildcats also have been honored as Big Ten Freshman of the Year eight times, and Big Ten Player of the Year eight times over that period.
A native of Surrey, England, Pollard earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Mississippi State University where she won the NCAA Doubles Championship as well as back-to-back Southeastern Conference (SEC) Indoor and Outdoor Doubles Championships. An All-American and Academic All-American, she…
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