College of Saint Benedict

John Pollock will begin his 11th year with the College of Saint Benedict track and field program.

Pollack joined CSB full time mid-year in 2015-16 after serving as the pole vault coach for the CSB and SJU track and field teams during the 2015 season. In that time, he has coached 11 National Qualifiers, and of those qualifiers, 5 All-Americans. Athletes in his event groups have produced 60 All-MIAC (top-three) finishes at the indoor and outdoor conference championships, including 18 conference titles.

A passionate supporter of coaches’ education and youth development, Pollack has previously helped develop and implement Summer Speed & Strength programs for high schoolers, supported youth development for USA Hockey, and organized pole vault clinics with international presenters. He is also a frequent presenter at clinics where he lectures about feedback, motor skill development, training design, and building athlete independence.

Pollack, who resides in Sartell, has USATF Level 1 and USATF Level 2 – Jumps Certifications. He is also certified as a USTFCCCA Advanced Strength and Conditioning Specialist as well as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Most recently, he participated in the Altis Mentorship Program, studying under legendary track and field coach Dan Pfaff.

Prior to coaching full time, Pollack coached at Mounds View High School and taught English at Irondale High School in New Brighton, Minn. where he served as the department’s chair. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Minnesota in 2010 and received his master’s in education from the U of M in 2014.

His hobbies include running (obviously), biking, rock climbing, and hiking mountains. Additionally, his favorite sports movies are Moneyball, The Jericho Mile, Friday Night Lights, and Field of Dreams, and he is very eager to talk about them with anyone who will listen, whether they have seen them or not.