Lew Perkins
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Lew Perkins, a lifelong college administrator who achieved nationally recognized success as Director of Athletics at the University of Kansas (2003-10) and the University of Connecticut, passed away Tuesday morning, July 18, in Lawrence, Ks. He was 78.
He arrived at KU in 2003 after serving 14 years as athletics director at the University of Connecticut. While he was at UConn, the Huskies won six NCAA championships – four in women’s basketball and one each in men’s soccer and men’s basketball. With Perkins as AD the Jayhawks won the 2008 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship and the 2008 Orange Bowl. His tenure was also marked by the construction of the Booth Family Hall of Athletics, which celebrates the tradition and success of Kansas Athletics, and the Anderson Family Football Complex (the indoor home of Kansas football), as well as outdoor practice football fields. Allen Fieldhouse also underwent major renovations and improvements during that time.
Perkins served on many prestigious committees at the NCAA and conference levels, and was elected to the Board of Directors of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. He was named in 2000 as the inaugural winner of the National Athletic Director of the Year Award, as selected by Street & Smith’s Sports Business Journal, in conjunction with the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA).
A native of Chelsea, Mass., Perkins was inducted into his high school Hall of Fame in 1989. A highly recruited basketball player, he played at the University of Iowa (1965-67) for Hall of Fame coach and KU graduate Ralph Miller. Perkins earned his undergraduate degree there in 1967.
Perkins served as Director of Athletics (1969-80) and head basketball coach (1969-79) at the University of South Carolina Aiken as that institution grew from a junior college to a four-year institution. He received his master’s degree in education (1975) from the University of South Carolina. Perkins delivered the commencement address and received an honorary Doctor of Education degree at USC Aiken in May 2005.
Perkins also served as athletics director at the University of Maryland and Wichita State University, and associate director of athletics at the University of Pennsylvania.
Perkins is survived by his wife, Gwen, and two daughters – Holly, Amy (husband Damon Coleman), and two granddaughters (Caroline and Alexandra).
I used to visit Lew and his father Abe when I was a little kid when they lived in Chelsea in a little house next to my aunt and uncle Maury and Bess. My father and Abe used to play cards together and they were great friends. My father used to watch Lew play ball and he said he was one of the best basketball players he ever saw. Sorry to hear of Lews passing. Barry Shangold
Lew was a special guy and such a force of nature – not only in physical stature but in heart and charisma that simply couldn’t be limited or contained. For as shrewd a business man, he was equally gentle and kind – to judge him on outward appearance alone would be an injustice. I know the light in my world dimmed when I heard of his passing. My thoughts and prayers are with Gwen and his girls. These 5 ladies meant the world to him.
Rich and I just learned of the passing of Lee Perkins. He and Gwen were dear friends during their time in Aiken. Lee was such a kind man and loved his family well. Our hearts go out to his loved ones.
I just found Lew’s business card while I was unpacking in my new apartment in NYC.
I met him while we were both frantically shopping for last-minute accessories as we had social plans that popped up, this was 8-10 years ago.
I didn’t know Lew, but we struck up a conversation and chatted for 15mins. He gave me his card and said to ‘look him up’ if I was ever in Kansas.
I never made it to KS, wish I had.
Rest in Peace to a (simply) nice man.