It's called the Vanderbilt Plan. In one form or another, it might be trickling down to some Wisconsin high schools. In 2003, Vanderbilt University Chancellor Gordon Gee decided to disband the Commodores' athletic department, folding it into the department of student life.

Wisconsin districts study need for ADs

It’s called the Vanderbilt Plan. In one form or another, it might be trickling down to some Wisconsin high schools. In 2003, Vanderbilt University Chancellor Gordon Gee decided to disband the Commodores’ athletic department, folding it into the department of student life.


Since then, the prestigious school in Nashville, Tenn. – a member of the big-time Southeastern Conference – is the only one in NCAA Division I without a full-time athletic director.


The school is saving money, enjoying success on the field, bursting the bubble that insulates athletes from the rest of the student population and building partnerships with other departments inside the university.


Those problems – except one – aren’t really an issue at the high school level. Athletes generally blend right in with the rest of the high school population, and allegations of special treatment are rare and frowned upon.


But then there’s money.


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