Jamie Pollard has successful triple-bypass surgery

Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard was in intensive care Wednesday morning after having successful open-heart surgery Tuesday night.

According to a university spokesperson, Pollard underwent the procedure at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. He is expected to remain in the hospital until at least Friday.

Pollard, 50, suffered a heart attack Monday night while watching his daughters participate in the Dickinson Relays in Cedar Falls. He was taken to Allen Hospital in Waterloo, then was transported to Iowa Methodist on Tuesday.

Dr. Christopher Komanapalli, a cardio and vascular surgeon from the Iowa Clinic, performed the triple bypass procedure.

The Cyclones men's basketball team opens defense of its Big 12 Conference tournament title at 6 p.m. Thursday against either Texas or Texas Tech at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo.

According to the university's press release, the Pollard family wishes to offer its gratitude to the many individuals who prayed for Jamie and sent supportive messages as well as the outstanding medical teams that have been treating him.

University president Steven Leath appointed senior associate athletics director David Harris as acting AD while Pollard recovers.

Pollard, a cross-country runner while attending Wisconsin-Oshkosh, became Iowa State's athletic director on Oct. 1, 2005.

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The Iowa State athletic department released this statement Wednesday morning:

POLLARD HAS SUCCESSFUL SURGERY

AMES, Iowa -- Iowa State Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard underwent successful open heart bypass surgery Tuesday night at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines.

Dr. Christopher Komanapalli, a cardio and vascular surgeon from Iowa Clinic, performed the triple bypass procedure.

Pollard is resting today in the Intensive Care Unit and is expected to remain hospitalized at Iowa Methodist Medical Center for several days.

The Pollard family wishes to offer its gratitude to the many individuals who prayed for Jamie and sent supportive messages as well as the outstanding medical teams which have been treating him.

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Previous Des Moines Register report, updated Tuesday night:

Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard felt embarrassed to be lying in a hospital bed after suffering a heart attack in Waterloo Monday night, football coach Paul Rhoads told reporters Tuesday.

"He was embarrassed that he had to be cared for like that," Rhoads said after practice. "That's the sign of a leader – that people have to pay special attention to him, instead of (him) being out front and leading them."

"It has been overwhelming to have received so many messages of support," Pollard said in a statement. "Our family is so appreciative of the uplifting and encouraging thoughts and prayers."

Pollard, 50, spent Monday night in Allen Hospital after suffering a heart attack while watching his daughters compete in the annual multi-team Dickinson Relays in Cedar Falls. Tuesday, he was transferred to Des Moines Methodist Hospital for continuing care and treatment, where he said he was undergoing bypass surgery that evening.

Pollard tweeted:

"I was with him in the hospital (Monday) night," Northern Iowa athletic director Troy Dannen said. "We were talking."

Iowa State men's basketball coach Fred Hoiberg tweeted Tuesday: "Thoughts and prayers with the Pollard family today. Jamie is great boss, a friend & a fighter. Wishing you a speedy recovery @IASTATEAD"

The Cyclones men's basketball team opens defense of its Big 12 Conference tournament title at 6 p.m. Thursday against either Texas or Texas Tech at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo.

Monday afternoon, Pollard was talking about the NCAA Tournament while walking from one office to another at the campus' athletic department campus athletic complex.

"Who's your wife's surprise team?" he asked a passerby.

Hours later, he was in an ambulance, headed to the hospital.

"I communicated with him (Monday) night," Rhoads said. "He was alert and stable."

Iowa State president Steven Leath appointed senior associate athletics director David Harris as acting AD while Pollard recovers.

Pollard, a cross-country runner while attending Wisconsin-Oshkosh, became Iowa State's athletic director on Oct. 1, 2005.

"Initially, there's just shock, because there's certain people that you don't think are susceptible to that kind of illness," Rhoads said. "He eats a heckuva lot better than I do. He trains.

"Those kinds of things, you don't think are going to catch up with a guy like that. The fact that I heard right back from him tells me that he's got his phone in his hand. He's probably in pretty good condition, and probably working too hard doing too much at the time."

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The Iowa State athletic department released this statement on Tuesday morning:

March 10, 2015

STATEMENT ON POLLARD'S CONDITION



AMES, Iowa – Iowa State Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard was taken by ambulance Monday afternoon to Allen Hospital in Waterloo. He suffered a heart attack while watching his daughters compete in the Girls Varsity Invitational track meet on the UNI Campus.

Pollard spent Monday night in the hospital for observation and treatment. He remains hospitalized at Allen today.

Additional information will be shared as it becomes available.

Iowa State President Steven Leath has appointed Senior Associate Athletics Director David Harris the acting AD while Pollard recuperates.