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Aims of Athletics

Aims of Athletics is an opportunity for all varsity athletes, coaches, staff, and members of the campus community to hear a perspective on the aims of athletic participation and role of sport in society. The annual event is held each year in the autumn quarter.

  • 2024 Aims of Athletics 
    • No Video
    • Keynote Speaker
      • John List - The Kenneth C. Griffin Distinguished Service Professor in Economics and the College
    • Esteemed Panel
      • Panel Moderated by Angie Torain
      • John List - The Kenneth C. Griffin Distinguished Service Professor in Economics and the College
      • James Chadam - Senior Executive: Strategy Development & Execution / UChicago Men’s Soccer Student-Athlete
      • Dr. Sara Ray Stoelinga - President & CEO of Easterseals / UChicago Track & Field Athlete Alum 
 
  • 2019 Aims of Athletics 
    • Full Video
    • Keynote Speakers
      • Provost Daniel Diermeier and Director of Athletics & Recreation Erin McDermott
        • Speaking about UChicago’s traditions and values of varsity athletics
    • Guest Speakers
      • Arne Duncan - Managing Partner of Chicago CRED and former U.S. Secretary of Education
      • John Rogers - University trustee and Founder/Co-CEO of Ariel Capital Management
        • Sharing experiences of growing up in Chicago, attending University High Lab School followed by playing varsity basketball at Ivy League institutions, and how those experiences shaped their professional careers
 
  • 2018 Aims of Athletics 
    • Full Video
    • Keynote Speakers
      • President Robert J. Zimmer and Director of Athletics & Recreation Erin McDermott
        • Speaking to scholar-athletes about the traditions and values of varsity athletics at UChicago
      • Assistant Provost Raja Bhattar
        • Addressing the vision and priorities of the Center for Identity + Inclusion
    • Guest Speaker
      • Derrick Brooms, BA '96
        • Delivering a perspective on the aims of athletics reflecting on his experiences and lessons learned while a student-athlete at UChicago
 
  • 2017 Aims of Athletics
    • Full Video
    • Keynote Speaker
      • Jenny Fortner ’98 - Women’s Basketball Alumna
        • Jenny was a Psychology major and a member of the Maroon Key Society. She is currently a managing director at Goldman Sachs in Chicago. Jenny is serving as chair of the board of Special Olympics Illinois and co-chair of the Special Olympics 50th Anniversary in July 2018. She was featured in the UAA’s recent 30 for 30 anniversary salutes.
 
  • 2016 Aims of Athletics 
    • No Video
    • Keynote Speaker
      • Sian Beilock, Executive Vice Provost 
 
  • 2015 Aims of Athletics 
    • Full Video
    • Keynote Speaker
      • LZ Granderson, journalist and commentator for CNN and ESPN 
 
  • 2014 Aims of Athletics 
    • Full Video
    • Keynote Speaker
      • Erin McDermott, Director of Athletics & RecreationÂ