Lew Perkins

Lew Perkins (born March 24, 1945 in Boston, Massachusetts) is the Director of Athletics at the University of Kansas. Perkins joined KU in June 2003, taking over for Al Bohl. Perkins previously held similar positions with the University of Connecticut, University of Maryland, College Park, Wichita State University and University of South Carolina Aiken where he gained a reputation for successfully cleaning up schools suffering under NCAA violations. Under Perkins direction, the athletics program at KU has had several successful seasons, including winning the 2008 Orange Bowl in football and the 2008 Men's Basketball Championship.

Early life

Perkins is a native of Chelsea, Massachusetts, where he was inducted into the High School athletics hall of fame. Following high school, Perkins played basketball at the University of Iowa from 1965-67, where he was coached by former KU great Ralph Miller, a member of the Naismith Hall of Fame. He also received an undergraduate degree in education from the institution.

At South Carolina Aiken

Perkins served as Athletics Director at USC Aiken from 1969-80, overseeing the athletics department during the university's transition from a junior college to four year institution. He also served as the head basketball coach from 1969-79. In 1975 he received a Master's degree in education from the University of South Carolina. In 2005, Perkins was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Education by USC-Aiken.

At Pennsylvania

From 1980-83, Perkins served as Associate Director of Athletics at the University of Pennsylvania, managing the university's 28 varsity sports.

At Wichita State

Perkins served as Athletics Director at WSU from 1983-87. Perkins took over a program that was on NCAA probation. Two years later, the NCAA cited WSU as having an "exemplary program." [ [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4179/is_20030610/ai_n11799620 Kansas AD Search Ends] ] During his tenure as AD, the WSU football program was ended, due to mounting budget issues. [ [http://webs.wichita.edu/?u=aboutwsu&p=/wsu_history_long/ WSU University Relations] ]

At Maryland

Perkins served as Athletics Director at Maryland from 1987-90. Perkins was brought in by Maryland to clean up the program after the investigation into the death of basketball player Len Bias revealed foul play within the organization. Perkins left the university following another NCAA investigation that took place after then basketball coach Bob Wade revealed to him that him and his staff had been violating several NCAA rules. [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DE5DB1E31F930A25756C0A96F948260 Maryland Coach Quits Amid Controversy] ]

At Connecticut

From 1990-2003, Perkins served as Athletic Director for UConn, earning nationwide recognition for his efforts. Under Perkins' watch, the program saw 6 NCAA national championships, including four in women's basketball, one in men's basketball, and one in men's soccer. Perkins was instrumental in bringing Division I football to the university. The football team joined Division I in 2000, and the Big East in 2004, after Perkins' departure.

Perkins also brought drastic change to the athletics facilities. During Perkin's tenure, a $4 million dollar hockey arena, $14 million dollar student recreation center, a $2.5 million dollar addition of seating to Harry A. Gampel Pavilion, a $3.5 million track and intramural facility, and the $90 million dollar Rentschler Field football complex were all constructed.

In 2000, he became the inaugural winner of the National Athletic Director of the Year Award.

At Kansas

Perkins has served as Athletic Director of the University of Kansas since June 2003. Perkins brought his tradition of change with him to Kansas from UConn. The football program has seen drastic improvement, going from a perennially mediocre team, to the winner of the 2008 Orange Bowl. Meanwhile, the basketball program has been equally successfully, bringing home the 2008 Men's Basketball Championship.

Perkins has brought many facilities upgrades to the campus, a direct result of raising KU's $27 million athletics budget to over $55 million. $10 million dollars worth of renovations to Allen Fieldhouse were completed in 2005-06, including a new videoboard. Another $15 million has been approved for further upgrades to the facility. [ [http://www2.kusports.com/news/2007/oct/11/allen_fieldhouse_set_another_facelift/ Allen Fieldhouse set for another facelift] ] The Booth Family Hall of Athletics was added to the eastern side of the fieldhouse, at a cost of $5 million. The Anderson Family Athletics complex is scheduled to open in 2008 adjacent to the football field at Memorial Stadium, at a cost of $31 million. [ [http://kuathletics.cstv.com/facilities/anderson-complex.html Anderson Family Football Complex] ] Approval has also been given for a new basketball practice and training facility, and $8 million dollars for improvement of student athlete housing.

Perkins also initiated an internal investigation into rules violations within the department, early in his time at Kansas, with the goal of ensuring full compliance at the university.

Other Service

*Basketball Issues Committee
*Chair of the Big 12 Board of Athletics Directors
*Big 12 Television Committee
*Board of Directors of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame
*Gatorade Board of Directors

ee also

*University of Kansas
*Kansas Jayhawks
*Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball
*Kansas Jayhawks football

References

cite web
title = Lew Perkins Bio
url=http://kuathletics.cstv.com/genrel/perkins_lew00.html
accessdate = 2008-06-27
cite web
title = KU names Perkins director of athletics
url=http://www.news.ku.edu/2003/03N/JuneNews/June10/perkins.html
accessdate = 2008-06-27