Just five weeks after a heart attack and open heart surgery to repair what he called a “dissection,” or tear in an artery, Jamie Pollard was sitting at a restaurant after church with his family April 19 when he noticed a group of senior citizens sitting at a set of booths.

Working only part-time and not quite back to full health, the ISU athletics director had just been approved to drive again after recovering from surgery. So as the group of elderly patrons waved him over to talk, he prepared for well-wishes on his recovery. Instead?

“This grandmotherly lady motioned me over to her table,” Pollard said. “She said, ‘How’s Fred [Hoiberg]?’ and it hit me that I’m old news, I’m on the back of the bus so it’s time to get back to work.”

Pollard recalled the conversation with a smile, announcing he will return to work full-time on Monday — just six-and-a-half weeks after going under the knife for open heart surgery.

For Pollard, switching the attention to ISU basketball coach Hoiberg’s recovery from heart surgery less than a week ago is welcoming as he spent a large portion of his time with the media speaking of Hoiberg’s help during his recovery.

Working part-time during the past few weeks, Pollard said he was excited to get back to work in time for the Cyclone Tailgate Tour. But he hasn’t rushed the process — a piece of advice given to him by Hoiberg. 

“I wanted to be ready to go in May because I knew we’d be on the tailgate tour,” Pollard said. “I’ve heard from many people who have had heart problems, ‘don’t overdo it,’ and that’s the first thing Fred said to me.”

While he’s excited to get back to work, he continued to talk about how fortunate he was to be here. While reading a list of people he wanted to thank, he had to compose himself before fighting through tears as he thanked his 16-year-old daughter, Annie, who he said was “instrumental in saving my life” as she rushed to get help during his heart attack.

Even more sobering was the thought of it happening before anyone could give him help, saying he tried ignoring the signs of a heart attack before realizing it was something more serious.

“Had it happened an hour and a half before when I was driving up there or an hour and a half later on my way home, I don’t know if I’d be here,” Pollard said. “I thought it was indigestion at first and I thought I could wait it out. I wouldn’t have been able to wait out a dissection.”

Pollard, like Hoiberg, thought he was living a healthy life, saying he doesn’t think he could exercise more than he already did. He said the heart condition was likely more hereditary than it was a result of his lifestyle. The pattern of healthy individuals like Hoiberg and Pollard with heart disease has been one point of emphasis for Hoiberg as he’s advocated for heart disease awareness since becoming coach at Iowa State.

Pollard still has a ways to go in his recovery, doing cardio rehab and going to the doctor for checkups as he hopes to get back to full health. Despite the unfortunate circumstances, Pollard joked he’s excited to get back to work with Hoiberg.

“I get to try to run next Monday on the treadmill, so I’m excited about that and I’m really looking forward to Fred joining our group because he’ll be in the same cardio rehab,” Pollard said.