Geoff Polglase has served James Madison University in a variety of key administrative positions in the president’s office and alumni relations office since 1990 and has worked as a senior administrator for JMU Athletics since 2001.
Polglase has served as the deputy director of athletics since 2008 and assists Director of Athletics, Matt Roan, in all phases of division operations with an emphasis on strategic planning and division oversight. Polglase also supervises the areas of branding, broadcasting, communications, corporate partnerships, creative services, facilities and events, fan engagement and ticket operations; and serves as the sport program administrator for men's basketball.
During his time with JMU Athletics, significant accomplishments and key leadership roles include:
- Athletics oversight of the University’s NCAA Certification process
- Development of the FBS Feasibility Study
- Development of Engaged In Excellence strategic plan
- Member of University Planning Team
In 1990, Polglase joined the university’s staff as director of alumni chapters and was named director of alumni constituencies in 1993. Polglase was then promoted to director of alumni relations the following year, serving in that role until 1998. As director of alumni relations, Polglase led the process to incorporate the JMU Alumni Association as a 501c3 corporation and developed the association’s first strategic plan in collaboration with the Alumni Association Board of Directors.
Polglase served as assistant to JMU President Linwood H. Rose starting when Rose became president in 1998 and worked closely with the university’s senior management team in coordinating the many activities of the president’s office.
Prior to working at JMU, Polglase was involved with athletics promotions and fundraising efforts at the University of Richmond. In 1989-90, he was director of the Spider Athletic Fund and Programs. The year before that, he was coordinator of athletic media relations and marketing at Richmond.
Polglase graduated from JMU in 1985 and went on to receive a master’s degree from Ohio State University in 1988 while also serving as a graduate assistant to the director of marketing in the athletics department. He and his wife, Paula (’92, ’96), have three sons, Zach, Ben and Sam.