09/08/2026
College Alumni Spotlight ~ John Polles, Delta State University; We reached out to our state universities for a Madison County alumni they would like to highlight. They are all featured in our current edition out now. Here is more on John…
🟢Tell us why you decided to attend Delta State and your experience there ~ There is a strong Delta State presence in the family since my dad is an alumni and my oldest brother swam there. The people in Cleveland are incredibly friendly, and the restaurants, shopping, and community rival anywhere in Mississippi. During my time at Delta State, I played in four NCAA Division II College World Series, and in 2004 we won the National Championship. I had the privilege of learning from incredible coaches including Mike Kinnison, Rodney Batts, Christian Ostrander, Jeff McClaskey, Coach Marchant, and the legendary Boo Ferriss.
🟢What degree did you receive and how are you using that now? I earned a Bachelor of Science in General Studies from Delta State University. One thing that has always stayed with me was Coach Mike Kinnison's expectations. He taught us professionalism, discipline, accountability, and how to represent ourselves with character. Those lessons have stayed with me throughout my career and has helped me in the role of co-owner of Polles Properties, LLC.
🟢What advice would you give to students who are seeking a similar career path? Work hard. Do what is right. Be honest. Stay the course, even when things get difficult. Put other people's interests ahead of your own, and success will usually follow. If you are trying to choose a college, do not chase the shiny object. Go where you feel comfortable and where your heart leads you. College is about discovering who you are, and preparing for your future. You might find your own diamond in the rough like I did at Delta State University.
🟢Share with us what you are doing now and a little about your family ~ Today, my wife Amanda and I own Polles Properties LLC, a real estate company based in Madison, Mississippi. We specialize in helping families buy, sell, invest in, and manage real estate throughout central Mississippi. We believe in treating people the way we would want to be treated and providing hands on service. We genuinely care about the people we serve and work hard to build relationships that last well beyond the closing table. We have two boys, John Carter, who is 13, and Sam Foster, who is 7. We stay involved in just about everything they do, and I coach them in youth sports. As a family, we love hunting, fishing, being outdoors, and doing anything recreational. We also enjoy spending time with our family and friends, and being close to them is something we truly value.
