Konzem resigns KU post

Richard Konzem, an administrative fixture in the Kansas University athletic department for more than two decades, resigned Wednesday.

Konzem, currently senior associate athletic director, was an applicant for the vacant athletic director post that eventually went to Lew Perkins.

“When I wasn’t successful in getting the AD job,” Konzem said, “I decided that no matter who came in as AD I would be going backwards, and I’m at the stage where I want to move forward.”

Konzem, 46, said he applied for an AD vacancy at another university, but declined to name the school.

“I had a good talk with Lew Perkins,” he said, “and we decided that the best thing for me would be to look into other places.”

While Konzem seeks another post, he will serve as a special assistant to Perkins, working primarily on completing the men’s basketball schedule that has been put in limbo by a court ruling negating tournament exemptions.

“First as a student and later as an administrator, Richard has been extremely loyal to this university and devoted to the overall success of the athletics program,” Perkins said in a prepared statement.

After earning a business degree from KU and a masters degree from Southern California, Konzem was hired in 1981 as assistant director of the Williams Fund. Later he served twice as director of the department’s fund-raising program.

Konzem, a Salina native, also worked eight years as the department’s NCAA rules compliance coordinator and one year as ticket manager.

As senior associate AD, Konzem was the administrative supervisor for football, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, the Williams Fund, the ticket office and the events and facilities staff.

“I’m the luckiest guy in the world to be able to walk into Allen Fieldhouse and work in this place,” Konzem said. “For me, it’s been a dream job.”

Chancellor Robert Hemenway said he would miss Konzem.

“He has a lot of talent and is well known in the athletic community nationwide,” Hemenway said. “I wish him nothing but the best as he pursues other opportunities.”

Konzem is the second athletic department administrator to leave since Perkins, who spent the last 13 years at Connecticut, took over a month ago.

Two weeks ago, Janelle Martin, associate athletic director for compliance and the department’s senior woman administrator, stepped down.

Perkins has announced one hiring since taking over. He named Jim Marchiony, a member of his staff at UConn, as associate athletic director for external affairs. Marchiony is scheduled to report next Monday.

With Konzem and Martin leaving, the holdover associate ADs in the KU athletic department are John Hadl (development), Paul Buskirk (student support services), Terry Hines (legal and external affairs) and Doug Vance (communications).

The other administrators are Susan Wachter, the chief financial officer; Jay Hinrichs, director of the Williams Fund; and Gary Kempf, assistant AD.