CHICAGO — Allen Sanderson, a respected economist at the University of Chicago, sadly passed away on January 23 after a short illness. He was 81 years old.
Sanderson earned degrees from Brigham Young University and the University of Chicago. He returned to UChicago in 1984 after teaching at Princeton. Over his 40-year career at UChicago, he held several important positions, including associate provost and senior research scientist at the National Opinion Research Center. He was also a senior instructional professor in economics.
He was well-known for his engaging courses and research, particularly in the economics of sports. Sanderson wrote columns for various newspapers, covering both sports and general topics. He frequently shared his insights on local TV and radio shows in Chicago.
Throughout his career, Sanderson contributed valuable commentary on sports economics, including insights into college athletics and the debate over compensating college athletes. His expertise extended to issues like the economic effects of universities on their local communities and the financial considerations for cities hosting large sporting events. Notably, he analyzed Chicago’s unsuccessful bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Sanderson was honored with the Quantrell Prize for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, signifying his impact as an educator. He holds the record for teaching more students at UChicago than anyone else.
He is survived by his two children, Catherine and Matt, along with their spouses and five grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at the University of Chicago this fall.
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