2023 HBCU All-Star MVP Nathaniel Pollard, Jr. reflects on time at UMES

Two years before he would lift the MVP trophy at the HBCU All Star Game in Houston, Texas, Nathaniel Pollard Jr. was weighing his options.

After completing two years at Eastern Arizona Community College, the Richmond, Virginia native aimed a transfer to a Division I institution. In the end, it was the University of Maryland Eastern Shore that came out on top.

“It was an easy decision for me,” Pollard said. “Coach [Jason] Crafton definitely wanted more than basketball for me, it was a different type of energy as far as the discussions that we had.”

Pollard knew right away that his choice was the right one for him. When he arrived in 2020, he knew he had landed where he belonged in that moment.

After majoring in General Studies at Eastern Arizona, Pollard began studying Sociology at UMES. He graduated in the spring of 2022 with a Bachelor’s degree after helping the Hawk men’s basketball team to 11 wins in the 2021-22 season, just one year after the team did not compete due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Knowing he had another year of eligibility, Pollard began to pursue a long-time goal in his graduate season.

“I had wanted to study business from the start,” Pollard said. “I knew I was coming back [for another year], so I knew it was my chance to go for business now.”

Pollard has spent this academic year completing the first year of his business degree, which he plans to continue pursuing beyond UMES.

Pollard also serves in the Student Government Association, both in the academic committee and as Mr. Maroon and Grey, a position held by a student-athlete that represents the

BY NICK LEWIS

athletic department to the campus community.

“I get the honor to represent athletics, and I know that I made a mark on that position,” Pollard said. “I’m glad to have experienced that.”

Pollard has been an essential player for the Hawks in his two seasons at UMES, joining forces with several transfers into the program to help rocket the team to its best win percentage and just the fourth winning season in 50 years. He was named to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Second Team and was invited to compete in the 2023 HBCU All-Star Game alongside the NCAA Final Four in Houston, Texas.

The graduate forward was named the MVP of the star-studded affair, scoring 10 points and collecting 13 rebounds in the win for his side.

With his time among the Hawks coming to a close, Pollard says he will look back fondly on his time in the nest.

“Since I stepped foot on this campus, my life has changed,” Pollard said. “I gained my relationship with God and gained so many close friendships right off the bat.”

“The teachers and students here are friendly, easy to get along with and they all want the best for you,” Pollard said. “And the opportunities, I’ve had so many opportunities since I got here that I’ve never had before, such as the SGA position.”

If given the opportunity, Pollard would recommend anyone to experience the feeling of family that you get from attending a HBCU.

“Be a part of something that hasn’t been done before,” Pollard said. “It’s a family type of environment that you won’t catch anywhere else.”