Claire Pollard (2020) - Hall of Fame

Claire Pollard

Induction:
2020
Class:
1989

Claire Pollard made quite the name for herself in Starkville, starring for Mississippi State's women's tennis team from 1986-1989. Recruited from England, Pollard played alongside fellow teammates in her new world. "It was shocking in many ways," Pollard said. "I grew up in London, so there was a bit of culture shock when I moved to Starkville. I think it took me all four years to get used to it. It was very rural. I was used to being able to get myself anywhere I wanted to go with public transportation in London. That was a lot different in Starkville. I had to get used to the weather conditions. It was much hotter there, so I had to learn how to compete in those hotter temperatures." She adjusted perfectly and continued to impress the Bulldogs with her talent.

Holden and Pollard are two of the most decorated players in program history and comprised State's best doubles team ever.

In 1989, Holden and Pollard claimed the SEC Doubles Championship before being crowned NCAA Doubles Champions to end their senior seasons. The tandem finished the year as the nation's top-ranked duo, receiving All-American and All-SEC recognition for their stellar performance. In addition, Holden and Pollard were named the 1989 Volvo Collegiate Series Doubles Team of the Year and earned main draw entries into the 1989 Wimbledon and U.S. Open Championships.

Holden and Pollard are tied for first all-time in MSU women's tennis history with 178 career victories each. Pollard still ranks first all-time in doubles wins with 111, while Holden follows in second with 106 victories. Both players are among State's career Top 10 in numerous singles and doubles categories and each excelled academically as Bulldogs as ITA Scholar Athletes and Academic All-SEC honorees.

Pollard began what has been a very successful coaching career at MSU when she led State's women to an 11-10 record in 1991. She continued her career at Lamar as the men's and women's head coach from 1994-98 and currently serves as the head women's coach at Northwestern where she has been since 1999. Through 27 years at the helm of the Northwestern program after the 2025 season, Pollard has led the Wildcats to 18 top 25 finishes (nine top 10s) and 13 Big Ten titles. She is a five-time Big Ten Coach of the Year and was the 2008 Wilson/ITA National Coach of the Year.