WAYNE – Members of the community were invited to the campus of Wayne State College to hear more about the first finalist of the women’s basketball head coaching position Wednesday afternoon.
From the Meadowlark Room on the second level of the Kanter Student Center, Associate Director of Athletics/Director of Sport and Rec Center Mike Barry introduced Brent Pollari.
Pollari is currently the head coach of Division III Saint Mary’s University in Winona, Minnesota. He has led the Cardinals to a 50-29 record in three years where Saint Mary’s reached the MIAC Playoff Semifinals this past season.
He spent nine seasons in the NSIC, eight with Northern State University and one year with Minnesota State-Mankato. Pollari said it’s the best basketball in the country for Division II.
“I’ve coached Division I and our conference (NSIC) our region (Central) is at least Mid-Major or right around Mid-Major for Division I,” said Pollari. “So, it’s good basketball, good coaches. A lot of good coaching in the NSIC.”
Among levels of coaching for Brent Pollari includes NCAA Division I, II and III along with high school coaching and playing at the NAIA level. He has also coached at Montana State University, Corvallis High School (MT), Texas A&M-Kingsville and the University of North Dakota.
During his time at Northern State he was able to work with Wayne-native Don Meyer. Pollari stated he was influenced by Meyer.
“He’s a huge impact in my life,” said Meyer. “Just daily, everything we do, how we think, how I coach, how I try to teach people, how I try to lead.”
Wayne State College will be communicating with other candidates this week to schedule their on-campus interviews for the week of June 4-8. Specifics for those open sessions will be announced once arrangements are finalized.
The public is encouraged to attend and meet the finalists along with asking questions.
