Northwestern University Director of Athletics and Recreation Jim Phillips announced today that Mike Polisky, most recently the team president of the Chicago Wolves and formerly president and general manager of the Chicago Rush Arena Football organization, has been named Northwestern’s senior associate athletic director for external affairs. He begins his duties with the Wildcats on Monday, June 14.
Polisky will provide leadership and oversight for Northwestern’s Athletics sales and marketing functions, operations and other external affairs. He will direct and coordinate all Athletics sales and marketing, oversee all corporate sponsorship, fan experience, communications, public relations, creative services, merchandising and relationships with NU’s media partners. Polisky also will develop and implement sales strategies to increase ticket sales, sponsorship, merchandise and other revenue streams.
“To be certain, we are ecstatic to add Mike and his tremendous marketing and public relations expertise to our Northwestern athletic family,” said Phillips. “Mike has been extremely successful in his previous positions, specifically with the Chicago Rush and Chicago Wolves, and he brings a terrific skill set to our department. He understands the Chicagoland market, and his track record for increasing brand awareness and improving attendance is second to none.
“As we restructure our sales and marketing staff, Mike is the perfect individual to lead our external group. We’re equally thrilled to welcome his wife, Liz, and their three children, Mia, Anna and Sam, to the Wildcat family.”
Polisky served as the president and general manager of the Chicago Rush for eight seasons (2001-08) before the Arena Football League (AFL) temporarily ceased operations. With the Rush, Polisky oversaw all business and football operations, and played a key supervisory role in public and community relations, marketing and advertising, operations, corporate sponsorship, broadcasting, ticket sales and merchandising. He was honored as the AFL’s Executive of the Year in July 2008.
During Polisky’s tenure, the franchise was awarded the AFL Commissioner’s Award as the league’s “Organization of the Year” three times (2004, 2007 and 2008). The Rush saw attendance increase every year, culminating in a 99-percent capacity average in 2008. The organization also led the AFL in corporate sponsorship five consecutive years (2004-08), and was awarded top honors in gameday operations, community relations, public relations and marketing during its existence.
With the Rush sharing the same venue as the American Hockey League’s Chicago Wolves, Polisky was immediately asked to serve as president of business operations for the Wolves once the AFL suspended operations. In his first 12 months with the Wolves, he revised the team’s brand positioning to accommodate the current economic climate. He secured the team’s first network television deal in more than a decade, while increasing corporate sponsorships by nearly 30 percent, group ticket business by more than 50 percent and overall ticket revenue by more than 14 percent.
“It is a true privilege to be working for Jim Phillips and Northwestern,” said Polisky. “Although the school is 160 years old, with the University’s increased commitment to marketing, this year will begin a new era for Northwestern Athletics.
“We look forward to sharing our teams, and the incomparable Big Ten competition, with all of Chicagoland.”