Embodiments of the present invention include a method of polymerizing olefins comprising contacting olefins with a catalyst composition made by the process of combining a hindered polyalicyclic alkyl catalyst precursor with a particulate inorganic oxide for a deposition time greater than 2 hours to form a catalyst composition. Embodiments of the present invention also include catalyst compositions comprising a hindered polyalicyclic alkyl catalyst precursor made by the process of combining the hindered polyalicyclic alkyl catalyst precursor with a particulate inorganic oxide for a deposition time greater than 2 hours to form the catalyst composition. In one embodiment, the hindered polyalicyclic alkyl catalyst precursor is formed by first combining an acid, a compound having the formula RX, and a metal oxide selected from the group consisting of Group 3 to Group 10 oxide compounds to produce a catalyst precursor; characterized in that R is selected from the group consisting of hindered polyalicyclic alkyls, and substituted derivatives thereof, and X is selected from the group consisting of any suitable leaving group.