Joseph "Chip" Polak is in his 33nd year at Southern New Hampshire University and his 24th as the university's Athletic Director. Polak originally served as Assistant Athletic Director/Assistant Men's Basketball coach from 1976-85 and helped guide the Penmen to their first two NCAA New England Regional titles in 1980 and 1981.

He was named Athletic Director in 1985 and over the past 23 years has led SNHU to both regional and national prominence among the Division II ranks. SNHU has participated in and hosted numerous ECAC and NCAA Championship events during Polak's time as Athletic Director.

Polak was named to the prestigious NCAA Division II Championships Committee in August of 2004. He has also served on both the NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Committee and the NCAA Division II Men's Lacrosse Committee, and served as national chairman of both committees. As national chairman he oversaw the selection of teams, and was responsible for the direction, supervision and administration of the 1998-99 Division Men's Basketball Tournament and the 2001 lacrosse championship.

He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Division II Athletic Directors Association and the USILA National Board of Directors.   . He previously served on the ECAC Executive Committee, the ECAC Championship Committee and the ECAC Finance Committee as well.

A 1972 graduate of Fordham University, Polak resides in Manchester with his wife Margie and their daughter Paige.