Remembering Allen Sanderson

Allen Sanderson, Senior Instructional Professor in Economics and the College, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025 at the age of 81.

A graduate of Brigham Young University and the University of Chicago, he joined the university in 1984 following a brief teaching position at Princeton. During his tenure, he served as associate provost for eight years and as a senior research scientist at NORC. From 1994 until his passing, he was a dedicated member of the department's instructional faculty.

Allen’s pedagogical contribution to the department is significant. A beloved instructor, he taught the principles sequence as well as a popular course on the economics of sports for undergraduate students in the College. Renowned for his dedication to teaching, he was honored with the Quantrell Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching in 1998. Allen holds the extraordinary distinction of having taught more students at the University of Chicago than anyone else in its history.

Thanks to the generosity of the family of Aaron Schur, a 2021 graduate of the College and economics major, at least five students are awarded the “S. Joel Schur Family Economics Prize” each year for the quality of their work in the Principles of Microeconomics and Principles of Macroeconomics courses. The Schur family has asked that these awards revert to the “Allen R. Sanderson Economics Prizes” to honor him. 

Allen’s pedagogical contributions were exceptional, not only for his dedication to teaching but also for his development and leadership of three interdisciplinary courses in collaboration with colleagues across the University. These courses focused on "Big Problems” facing society and include “Inequality: Origins, Dimensions & Policy” and “Sport, Society, and Science.” These courses were taught for the appropriately named “Big Problems” curriculum. More recently, Allen organized “UChicago Economics: The People and the Seminal Ideas,” a class in which many of us participated. 

Allen’s professional focus was on the economics of sports, an area in which he made significant contributions. He served on the editorial board of The Journal of Sports Economics and acted as a referee for numerous academic journals and professional presses nationwide. His recent research explored critical topics such as the economics of the NCAA and the case for compensating college athletes. Additionally, Allen was a passionate advocate for integrating sports economics into economics departments across the country, using sports as an engaging and effective vehicle for teaching economic principles.

Allen was a prolific contributor to op-ed pages across the country, writing on both sports and non-sports topics. His columns appeared in publications such as the Chicago Tribune, the Los Angeles Times, and bi-monthly in Chicago Life Magazine. These writings, aimed at a general audience, covered a wide range of topics—from political economy and national debt to quirky musings on cats and their owners—all through the lens of Chicago Economics. He was also a sought-after commentator, frequently interviewed by NPR, WBEZ, WGN-TV, and Chicago Tonight, among many others.

In addition to his academic and public intellectual pursuits, Allen was an exemplary university citizen. He actively participated in programs that enriched the student experience, such as the "Collegiate Scholars Program," which supports inner-city students, and the Aims of Education discussions for incoming first-year students. He contributed to “Taking the Next Step,” a program designed to guide second-year students in exploring potential career paths. For years, he delivered engaging model classes during Parents’ Weekend and for the Alumni Association as part of his Feast of the Mind series. Additionally, Allen was a dedicated supporter of the Sawiris Scholars Program, which brings young scholars from Egypt to the university annually. His commitment to education and outreach extended far beyond the classroom, leaving a lasting legacy within the university community.

Allen was a strong  advocate for our undergraduate students. He championed initiatives that celebrated and connected with students, including ensuring that the final faculty lunch of the year was reserved for the Undergraduate Student Picnic. Over his career, he wrote thousands of letters of recommendation, each crafted with care and thoughtfulness. Most recently, he was particularly excited about the opportunity for our undergraduate students to attend the Hoover Institution Summer Policy Boot Camp.

He is survived by his son, Matthew, his daughter, Catherine, and his grandchildren: Andrew, Robert, and Caroline Hollander, as well as Jane and Neil Sanderson.
 

The Sanderson family is establishing a special fund to honor and remember Allen. The Sanderson Family Student Experience Fund will eventually become a permanently endowed resource that will enhance the experience of undergraduate students of economics at the University of Chicago. Please make your gift online. Please indicate in the comment box that your gift is in memory of Allen Sanderson. You may also send an email to yasminomer@uchicago.edu, should you have any questions about the fund in Allen's memory.

Details about a memorial service will be shared when available.