KU Chancellor Meets With Athletics Department Staff Regarding Search for New AD

Sept. 9, 2010

LAWRENCE, Kan. – University of Kansas Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little met with the Kansas Athletics staff Thursday morning about the upcoming search for the University’s new athletics director.

Lew Perkins, who had been KU Athletics Director since June 2003, announced his retirement Tuesday, effective immediately. Gray-Little appointed Associate Athletics Director Sean Lester Interim AD.

Gray-Little told the standing-room-only crowd of some 150 coaches and administrators in Hadl Auditorium that she has heard from numerous individuals from many different entities regarding the position. “I haven’t heard from the Vatican or the White House,” she said, “at least not yet.”

Gray-Little told the staff she hopes to name a search committee of five or six people by the end of next week. She said she would like to have KU’s new AD in place by mid-spring semester or sooner. “We want to capitalize on all the great things that Athletics has achieved over the past seven years,” she said.

Gray-Little said she will seek out the best possible candidate. “We’ll look for someone with experience, integrity and a commitment to excellence…. someone who can inspire our coaches, staff, student-athletes, alumni and friends,” she said.

The Chancellor told the staff that she will talk to student-athletes and Kansas Athletics staff during the process, and said she welcomes comments from Athletics staff members.

“Thank you so much for all your outstanding work,” she said. “Athletics is a very important asset to KU. Your efforts help bond students and alumni to our university.”