Chris Pollard, suit-clad and confident, did not enact some grand stop-and-stare entrance moment. He entered subtly. But when he first walked into the Jim Rutrough Club Lounge at Disharoon Park, he stopped to shake someone’s hand. Then he did it again and again, shaking the hand of everyone he encountered on his way to the podium. It took multiple minutes.
Nevertheless, Pollard started on time, because that is the kind of coach he is.
Pollard addressed the media Wednesday, his first time doing it as Virginia’s head baseball coach. He took the time to make proper introductions, profusely thanking his old Blue Devils, and his wife, children and parents. And then he started talking about his plans for the program.
And when Pollard talks, people listen. Attentively.
Pollard revealed the title of his program’s culture, “The Grind.” He is all about embodying the qualities of a model program — and in turn, he expects the same of his players.
“We will adopt a process-driven approach,” Pollard said. “Great process leads to great results.”
But he is not just a process guy — he is also all about the culture of the program, and under Pollard, Virginia baseball appears to be well-positioned to continue its pristine culture. The difference, though, lies in how a good culture is built. Pollard has a very detailed description.
“We will value servant leadership. We will appreciate the importance of being part of something that’s bigger than ourselves,” he said. “We will be accountable for the energy that we show up with on a day-in, day-out basis. We want to work hard, to be that same person day in and day out.”
Some products of that mindset are new transfers from Duke — including stars in junior outfielder AJ Gracia and junior pitcher-outfielder Kyle Johnson. They were present Wednesday. They all sat together near the front, and kept their eyes on the podium at all times. In turn, Pollard did the same. He maintained consistent eye contact with whichever reporter asked a question.
When Pollard finished taking questions from the media, reporters flocked to speak with Athletic Director Carla Williams. Meanwhile, with the spotlight off of Pollard, he immediately went to mingle with supporters throughout the room. Pollard is all business, and all class.
“Foundationally, I feel strongly that, before anything else, players don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care,” Pollard said. “You have to build a relationship based on ‘I really know you and care about you as a person,’ before ‘I care about you as a player.’’”
Certainly, Pollard has already worked extremely hard in the early goings of his tenure. He claimed that he has been putting in 18-hour days as the portal season has begun — and he has already acquired elite talents like Gracia and Johnson, plus several ex-Blue Devils.
At the press conference Wednesday, there were a few leftover Cavaliers too — including senior infielder Luke Hanson, graduate pitcher Dean Kampschror and senior pitcher Ryan Osinki. They listened to Pollard’s near-30-minute open session, in which Pollard made sure to leave a positive impression, saying that he is going to be a role model to his players.
“I believe elite players want to be pushed,” Pollard said. “Guys want to be challenged. That’s how you become the best version of yourself, but the foundation has to be there first.”
That foundation, of course, starts with Pollard, the leading man. And he made a dazzling first impression. The first thing he said in his opening statement? “This is awesome.” The second thing? “I am really humbled.” Both valid, but the third thing truly stands out.
“I believe wholeheartedly in the power of vulnerability,” Pollard said. “And I believe in high-functioning team dynamics. I think vulnerability is a superpower. So I’ll be real with you. I’ve had a huge range of emotions over the last eight days. And not to mention my fair share of butterflies.”
Just two weeks ago, Pollard was preparing to host a super regional in Durham, N.C. He was three wins away from the College World Series. Flash forward to Wednesday, and Pollard was donning a V-Sabre tie and a V-Sabre pin. His life had completely changed, but he did not hide that. Instead, he added to his Virginia outfit by wearing his heart on his sleeve.
“And I tell our guys, when you get those butterflies, that just means that your body is getting ready to do something special,” Pollard said. “And so with that said, the overwhelming feeling that I have had more than any, is gratitude.”
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