Allen Sanderson, a senior instructional professor in the Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics at the University of Chicago, passed away on January 23, 2025, at the age of 81. Renowned for his dedication to teaching, Sanderson leaves behind a remarkable legacy at the institution where he taught for over four decades.
Sanderson joined UChicago in 1984 after teaching at Princeton University. Over the years, he taught more students than any other professor in the University’s history. His engaging teaching style, characterized by humor, wit, and real-world applications of economic theory, made his courses some of the most sought-after on campus. In recognition of his contributions, he was honored with the prestigious Quantrell Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching in 1998.
Beyond UChicago, Sanderson was a prolific writer and thinker. He contributed regularly to the Chicago Tribune and wrote a bi-monthly column for Chicago Life Magazine, delving into topics that combined economics with everyday life and sports. He was also a senior researcher at the National Opinion Research Center and served on the editorial board of the Journal of Sports Economics. His expertise in sports economics earned him a reputation as a sharp and sometimes critical voice on the intersection of sports and public policy. He frequently questioned the economic benefits of publicly funded sports stadiums, commonly asserting that “If you want to inject money into the local economy, it would be better to drop it from a helicopter than invest it in a new ballpark,” and advocated for compensating college athletes long before the issue gained national prominence.
Sanderson was an avid sports fan, especially of the Chicago White Sox. He often spoke about the evolving dynamics of sports fandom and lamented the decline of “traditional fans” who attended games purely for the love of the sport.
Students remember Sanderson not only for his intellect but also for his generosity, devotion to mentorship, and sense of humor. Jonathan Herrera, a fourth-year in the College and member of the Thinker, told the Thinker that “during my freshman orientation in September of 2021… with Professor Sanderson, I realized two things: first, the University’s culture of free inquiry and expression creates a space where enjoyable learning occurs, and second, majoring in Economics was a good choice for me… I gained the confidence to speak my mind during classroom discussions at The College.” Another fourth-year student, Marcus Brotman, noted of Sanderson that “the economic intuition he taught was incredible in its value and simplicity. I always thought his class should become part of the UChicago Core.” His ability to weave economics into the fabric of everyday life left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of learning from him.
Allen Sanderson’s passing is a profound loss to the University of Chicago community. He will be remembered as a gifted teacher, an insightful economist, and a beloved mentor whose contributions will resonate for generations to come.