Tennessee Chancellor Attending Trump's College Sports Roundtable

Donde Plowman will join athletic directors, former players and coaches to discuss the future of college athletics.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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University of Tennessee Chancellor Donde Plowman will attend a roundtable discussion hosted by President Donald Trump next Friday to discuss the state of college sports. The event will bring together a range of leaders from college athletics, including athletic directors, former players and coaches, as well as other notable figures like Tiger Woods and Adam Silver.

Why it matters

College sports have undergone rapid changes in recent years, with leaders across the country debating the direction and longevity of the system. Trump's roundtable aims to bring together key stakeholders to find solutions, and Plowman's participation as the chancellor of a major university program will provide an important perspective.

The details

Plowman has served as the University of Tennessee, Knoxville's chancellor since 2019. In this role, she oversees the university's athletics department, which has seen a more than 60% increase in revenue under her leadership. Prior to joining UT, Plowman held leadership positions at the University of Nebraska.

  • The roundtable discussion will take place next Friday, March 7, 2026.

The players

Donde Plowman

The chancellor of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, overseeing the university's athletics department which has seen significant revenue growth under her leadership.

Donald Trump

The current President of the United States, hosting the roundtable discussion on the future of college sports.

Tim Tebow

A former college football player who is expected to participate in the roundtable discussion.

Nick Saban

A former college football coach who is expected to participate in the roundtable discussion.

Urban Meyer

A former college football coach who is expected to participate in the roundtable discussion.

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What’s next

The roundtable discussion is scheduled for next Friday, March 7, 2026, where the participants will aim to chart a path forward for the future of college athletics.

The takeaway

Chancellor Plowman's participation in President Trump's college sports roundtable underscores the University of Tennessee's prominent role in the national conversation around the evolving landscape of college athletics. Her unique perspective as a university leader will be valuable in shaping potential solutions to the challenges facing the industry.