Badgers Name General Manager for Men’s Basketball to Oversee Personnel and NIL Efforts

The Wisconsin Badgers are embracing a growing trend in college basketball by naming a general manager for their men’s program — and they’re turning to a familiar face. Marc VandeWettering, who has served as the team’s chief of staff, has been promoted to the role of general manager.

According to UW Athletics, VandeWettering’s new position will include working closely with head coach Greg Gard on recruiting, roster management, player personnel decisions, and revenue-sharing strategy. He will also continue managing non-conference scheduling. The move underscores Wisconsin’s commitment to adapting to the evolving landscape of collegiate athletics.

Head coach Greg Gard expressed strong support for the promotion, noting VandeWettering’s ongoing impact in areas like the transfer portal and name, image, and likeness (NIL) strategy.

“I’m extremely happy for Marc and for our program,” Gard said. “He has worked tirelessly to improve our team every day and has played a vital role in helping us navigate this new era of college basketball. Marc has already been handling many personnel responsibilities, and I’m excited to have him officially in this role to help guide our continued success.”

VandeWettering also shared his enthusiasm about stepping into the position.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to support Coach Gard, our staff, and our student-athletes in this role,” he said. “Wisconsin Men’s Basketball is built on consistency, accountability, and a team-first mentality. I’m committed to building on that foundation while helping the program evolve and thrive in this changing environment.”

A Wisconsin alumnus, VandeWettering has been with the program since 2017, originally serving as Director of Basketball Operations. He was promoted to chief of staff two seasons ago. A former student manager for the Badgers, he also previously worked with the Big Ten Conference as assistant director of basketball and football operations.

Now, VandeWettering officially steps into the general manager role — a new title, but one he’s been preparing for over the past several years.