Kansas names Perkins AD

LAWRENCE, Kan., June 11 (UPI) -- Lew Perkins, who achieved enormous success at Connecticut, has been named athletic director at Kansas.

At Connecticut for the last 13 years, Perkins was instrumental in leading the athletic program to impressive growth. During his tenure, the school compiled six Division I national championships, including four in women's basketball, one in men's basketball, and one in men's soccer.

He also was widely lauded for bringing Division I football to the school. In August, the Huskies will open a 40,000-seat stadium, and the school will compete as a Big East Conference football member beginning in 2005.

"Lew Perkins is highly regarded nationally, and has had a positive impact everywhere he's served," said Kansas Chancellor Dr. Robert Hemenway. "He is known for his integrity, his support of women's athletics and his ability to build champions."

He will be succeeded at Connecticut by Jeffrey Hathaway, the AD at Colorado State the past two years.