Lew Perkins (born March 24, 1945) is a former athletic director, ending his 40-year career at the University of Kansas. Perkins joined KU in June 2003, taking over for . 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 had several successful seasons, including winning the 2008 Orange Bowl in football and the 2008 Men's Basketball Championship. His tenure, though, ultimately ended in scandal and early retirement in 2010.