23 Facts About Lew Perkins

Lew Perkins ended his 40-year career at the University of Kansas, having joined in June 2003, taking over for Al Bohl.

Lew Perkins was a native of Chelsea, Massachusetts, where he was inducted into the High School Athletics Hall of Fame.

Lew Perkins received an undergraduate degree in education from the institution.

At Iowa, Lew Perkins pledged and activated the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity.

Lew Perkins served as athletics director at the University of South Carolina Aiken from 1969 to 1980, overseeing the athletics department during the university's transition from a junior college to four-year institution.

Lew Perkins served as the head basketball coach from 1969 to 1979.

In 2005, Lew Perkins was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Education by the University of South Carolina Aiken.

From 1980 to 1983, Lew Perkins served as associate athletic director at the University of Pennsylvania, managing the university's 28 varsity sports.

Lew Perkins served as athletic director at Wichita State University from 1983 to 1987.

Lew Perkins took over a program that was on NCAA probation.

Lew Perkins served as athletic director at the University of Maryland, College Park from 1987 to 1990.

Lew 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.

Lew Perkins left the university following another NCAA investigation that took place after then basketball coach Bob Wade revealed to him that he and his staff had been violating several NCAA rules.

From 1990 to 2003, Lew Perkins served as athletic director for the University of Connecticut, earning nationwide recognition for his efforts.

Under Lew Perkins' watch, the program won six NCAA national championships, including four in women's basketball, one in men's basketball, and one in men's soccer.

Lew Perkins was instrumental in bringing Division I-A football to the university.

Lew Perkins served as athletic director of the University of Kansas from June 2003 to September 2010.

Lew Perkins brought many facilities upgrades to the campus, and raised KU's athletics budget from $27 million to over $55 million.

Several major deals were negotiated during Lew Perkins' tenure, including a $26.67 million deal with Adidas, a $40 million deal with ESPN, and an $86 million deal with IMG.

Lew Perkins was not implicated in the scheme, but many of the five employees charged with crimes were hired or promoted to their positions by Lew Perkins.

Separately, in May 2010, Lew Perkins was accused by a former Athletic Department employee of personally accepting exercise equipment in exchange for giving premium basketball tickets.

However, Lew Perkins soon accelerated this schedule, and one year early, on September 7,2010, he announced his retirement would be effective immediately.

Lew Perkins died in Lawrence, Kansas, on July 18,2023, at the age of 78.