University of Wisconsin Needs a New Sports Leader (CEFR Compare)

Apr 27, 2026, 10:28

University of Wisconsin Needs a New Sports Leader

Introduction

The University of Wisconsin needs a new athletic director. Chris McIntosh left his job for a new role. Now, Marcus Sedberry is the temporary leader.

Main Body

This job is very important. Usually, leaders stay in this job for a long time. The university also needs a new top boss called a chancellor. Marcus Sedberry might get the job. He has worked there since 2022. But the football team is losing many games now. Other people want the job too. Some people work at other universities. One man works for a professional hockey team in Dallas.

Conclusion

The university has two empty top jobs. They are looking for the right people to lead the school and the sports.

Vocabulary Learning

important (adj.)

significant (adj.) / of great significance重要

Example:This job is very important.

job (n.)

position (n.) / a paid position of work工作

Example:She found a new job at the university.

leader (n.)

chief (n.) / a person who leads領袖

Example:Marcus Sedberry is the new leader.

school (n.)

educational institution (n.) / a place for learning學校

Example:They are looking for the right people to lead the school.

team (n.)

group (n.) / a group of people working together團隊

Example:The football team is losing many games.

Sentence Learning

But the football team is losing many games now.

Connector: The word 'But' shows a contrast between two ideas.連接詞: 『But』一詞表示兩個想法之間的對比。

He has worked there since 2022.

Time Marker: The word 'since' indicates a starting point in time.時間標記: 『since』一詞表示時間的起始點。

Some people work at other universities.

Prepositional Phrase: The phrase 'at other universities' shows location.介詞短語: 『at other universities』表示位置。

Now, Marcus Sedberry is the temporary leader.

Time Marker: The word 'Now' indicates the present moment.時間標記: 『Now』一詞表示現在這一時刻。

One man works for a professional hockey team in Dallas.

Prepositional Phrase: The phrase 'in Dallas' shows location.介詞短語: 『in Dallas』表示位置。

University of Wisconsin Searches for New Athletic Director

Introduction

The University of Wisconsin is looking for a new athletic director after Chris McIntosh left to become the deputy commissioner for strategy for the Big Ten conference. Marcus Sedberry has been appointed as the interim athletic director to lead the department during this transition.

Main Body

This vacancy is a rare event for the university, as it is only the third time in over thirty years that the position has changed. In the past, the role was known for its stability, with previous directors Pat Richter and Barry Alvarez serving for 15 and 17 years. Furthermore, this search happens while the university is also looking for a permanent chancellor, following Jennifer Mnookin's move to Columbia University. There is some uncertainty regarding the process because the university has not yet announced a formal search committee or hired an external firm. As a result, several candidates with connections to the state or the school have been mentioned. Marcus Sedberry, who has been the deputy athletic director since 2022, could provide internal continuity. However, some critics point to the recent performance of the football program, which has suffered its first consecutive losing seasons since the early 1990s. Several external candidates with strong college experience are also being considered. These include Jamie Pollard from Iowa State, who has a 21-year record of success, and Sean Frazier from Northern Illinois. Other potential names include Shawn Eichorst from Texas and David Harris from Tulane. Additionally, the university might look at professional sports executives, such as Brad Alberts, the CEO of the NHL's Dallas Stars. The final decision will likely depend on whether the university prefers an internal promotion, an experienced college administrator, or a professional sports manager.

Conclusion

The University of Wisconsin is currently facing a double leadership transition for both its athletic department and its chancellor's office. The athletic department will remain under interim management until a permanent successor to Chris McIntosh is chosen.

Vocabulary Learning

candidate

person considered for a position候選人

Example:Several candidates have been shortlisted for the role.

continuity

state of continuing without interruption持續性

Example:The interim director aims to maintain continuity in the program.

interim

temporary / provisional臨時的

Example:The interim director will serve until a permanent one is hired.

transition

process of change from one state to another轉變

Example:The university is undergoing a transition in leadership.

uncertainty

lack of certainty; doubt不確定性

Example:There is uncertainty about when the new director will be appointed.

Sentence Learning

Marcus Sedberry, who has been the deputy athletic director since 2022, could provide internal continuity.

Relative Clause: The clause 'who has been the deputy athletic director since 2022' gives extra information about Marcus Sedberry.關係子句: 子句 'who has been the deputy athletic director since 2022' 為 Marcus Sedberry 提供額外資訊。

In the past, the role was known for its stability, with previous directors Pat Richter and Barry Alvarez serving for 15 and 17 years.

Passive Voice: 'was known' shows the role was the subject of being known; the action is performed on it.被動語態: 'was known' 表示該角色是被認為穩定的。

Furthermore, this search happens while the university is also looking for a permanent chancellor, following Jennifer Mnookin's move to Columbia University.

Subordinate Clause (While): 'while the university is also looking for a permanent chancellor' indicates two actions happening at the same time.從屬子句（while）: 子句 'while the university is also looking for a permanent chancellor' 表示兩件事同時發生。

There is some uncertainty regarding the process because the university has not yet announced a formal search committee or hired an external firm.

Subordinate Clause (Because): 'because the university has not yet announced...' explains the reason for uncertainty.從屬子句（because）: 子句 'because the university has not yet announced...' 解釋不確定性的原因。

This vacancy is a rare event for the university, as it is only the third time in over thirty years that the position has changed.

Subordinate Clause (As): 'as it is only the third time...' gives a reason or comparison.從屬子句（as）: 子句 'as it is only the third time...' 提供原因或比較。

University of Wisconsin Initiates Search for New Athletic Director

Introduction

The University of Wisconsin is currently seeking a new athletic director following the departure of Chris McIntosh, who transitioned to a role as deputy commissioner for strategy within the Big Ten conference. Marcus Sedberry has been appointed to serve as the interim athletic director during this transition.

Main Body

The current vacancy represents a rare administrative shift for the institution, marking only the third such transition in over three decades. Historically, the position has been characterized by long-term stability, with Pat Richter and Barry Alvarez serving approximately 15 and 17 years respectively, while McIntosh served five. This search coincides with a broader leadership vacancy at the university, as the institution also lacks a permanent chancellor following Jennifer Mnookin's move to Columbia University. Administrative uncertainty is compounded by the fact that the university has not yet announced a formal search committee or an external search firm. Consequently, various candidates with ties to the state or the institution have been identified as potential fits. Internal continuity may be pursued via Marcus Sedberry, who has served as deputy athletic director since 2022 and assumed football general manager duties in 2025. However, his candidacy is framed by the recent performance of the football program, which has experienced its first consecutive losing seasons since the early 1990s. External candidates with significant collegiate experience include Jamie Pollard of Iowa State, who possesses a 21-year record of success and prior experience at Wisconsin, and Sean Frazier of Northern Illinois, a former finalist for the position in 2021. Other potential candidates include Shawn Eichorst, currently the deputy AD/COO at Texas, and David Harris, the athletic director at Tulane. Garrett Klassy, the current athletic director at Fresno State, also maintains professional and academic ties to the university. Beyond collegiate administration, the search may extend to professional sports executives. Brad Alberts, the current president and CEO of the NHL's Dallas Stars, is noted for his professional success and his origins in Wisconsin. The final selection will likely depend on whether the university prioritizes internal continuity, established power-conference administration, or professional sports management experience.

Conclusion

The University of Wisconsin is currently in a period of dual leadership transition at both the athletic and chancellor levels, with the athletic department operating under interim management while a permanent successor to Chris McIntosh is identified.

Vocabulary Learning

compounded (adj.)

intensified / made more complex by additional factors加劇的

Example:The administrative uncertainty was compounded by the fact that no search committee had yet been announced.

executives (n.)

senior managerial personnel高級管理人員

Example:The search may extend to professional sports executives.

interim (adj.)

temporary or provisional臨時的

Example:Marcus Sedberry will serve as interim athletic director during this period.

potential (adj.)

capable of future development潛在的

Example:The committee identified several candidates as potential fits for the position.

succession (n.)

the act of following in order繼任

Example:The succession to Chris McIntosh is being carefully managed.

Sentence Learning

The current vacancy represents a rare administrative shift for the institution, marking only the third such transition in over three decades.

Participial Phrase: The sentence uses a participial phrase "marking only the third such transition in over three decades" to add descriptive detail without a separate clause, demonstrating concise information delivery.分詞短語: 句子使用分詞短語「marking only the third such transition in over three decades」在不另起從句的情況下提供附加描述，展現信息簡潔傳遞。

Administrative uncertainty is compounded by the fact that the university has not yet announced a formal search committee or an external search firm.

Nominalization & Subordinate Clause: The clause "the fact that the university has not yet announced a formal search committee or an external search firm" turns the action into a noun phrase, allowing it to function as the object of "is compounded by".名詞化與從句: 子句「the fact that the university has not yet announced a formal search committee or an external search firm」將動作名詞化，成為「is compounded by」的賓語，顯示名詞化用法。

However, his candidacy is framed by the recent performance of the football program, which has experienced its first consecutive losing seasons since the early 1990s.

Relative Clause: The relative clause "which has experienced its first consecutive losing seasons since the early 1990s" provides essential information about the football program, illustrating the use of a non-defining relative clause to add detail.關係子句: 關係子句「which has experienced its first consecutive losing seasons since the early 1990s」為足球隊提供關鍵資訊，示範非限定性關係子句的細節添加。

Beyond collegiate administration, the search may extend to professional sports executives.

Prepositional Phrase as Adverbial: The prepositional phrase "Beyond collegiate administration" functions adverbially, indicating the scope of the search and showing how prepositions can modify entire clauses.介詞短語作副詞: 介詞短語「Beyond collegiate administration」作為副詞使用，指明搜尋的範圍，展示介詞如何修飾整個句子。

The final selection will likely depend on whether the university prioritizes internal continuity, established power-conference administration, or professional sports management experience.

Noun Clause as Complement: The noun clause "whether the university prioritizes internal continuity, established power-conference administration, or professional sports management experience" acts as the object of "depend on," exemplifying how noun clauses can function as complements within a sentence.名詞子句作賓語: 名詞子句「whether the university prioritizes internal continuity, established power-conference administration, or professional sports management experience」作為「depend on」的賓語，說明名詞子句在句中作為賓語的用法。