While athletic director at the University of Connecticut, Lew Perkins earned high marks for his commitment to women’s sports.

By gradually adding women’s scholarships and money for teams, the Huskies stayed on the right side of the federal gender equity act.

“UConn ranks up there at the top,” said Lamar Daniel, a national Title IX consultant. “They’ve added three women’s sports in his tenure and have lost no men’s sports. That’s a rarity.”

Daniel worked in the federal Office of Civil Rights for 20 years enforcing the law that mandates equal opportunity for women’s sports.

He now spends his time advising colleges and universities on compliance. Daniel reviews Connecticut programs once a year, speaking with everyone from administrators, coaches and student athletes.

Perkins is leaving UConn in great shape, Daniel said.

“Everything is relatively equal in terms of needs of each team and overall programs,” Daniel said. “It’s as a compliant program with Title IX as there is in this country. It’s a privilege to work with them.”

Perkins was troubled by the impact the apparent dissolution of Big East Conference football could have on women’s sports.

“I hope it’s not a setback for college athletics, Title IX in particular,” Perkins said.